Statement gives one-month ultimatum for release of detainees Al-Qaeda sympathizers claim bomb responsibility [Archives:2002/16/Front Page]

SANAA – Sympathizers of the al-Qaeda network took credit for the explosion that shook part of the US Embassy compound Friday.
Supporters of al-Qaeda similarly gave a one month ultimatum for the Yemeni authorities to release their 173 comrades, currently detained at the Political Security Office, otherwise, they will sponsor suicide bombings against top officials, according to a publicly-distributed statement.
The statement, typed but unsigned, was given a blanket distribution across Sanaa.
It said top Yemeni officials and Political Security Police’s facilities across the country will be targeted, as they had earlier this month when there was a bombing attempted at the residence of Mohammed al-Surmi, the official in charge of the terrorism file at the PSO.
The statement questions how president Saleh can call for Jihad in Palestine while he himself suppresses and detains Mujahideen.
A similar bombing took place close to the house of a senior secret police official, this month. That official reportedly took part in tracking down al-Qaeda and other extremist Islamic elements in Yemen.
Security forces surrounded the scene of the explosion which also houses the US embassy compound.
Since earlier this month, political security police have detained seven persons from a religious institute in Sana’a for their alleged contact with two of the most wanted al-Qaeda elements in Yemen: al-Harethi and al-Ahdal.
This is the first time al-Qaeda sympathizers have claimed responsibility for a bombing in Yemen, since authorities started its massive arrest campaign against so-called Arab-Afghans and persons alleged to have links to al-Qaeda network.


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