Thaindian News

Washington, Apr 5(ANI): Counterterrorism operations in Yemen have come to a halt, allowing Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to operate more freely inside the country and to increase plotting for possible attacks against Europe and the United States, American diplomats and intelligence analysts have said.

Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s son and three nephews are in charge of four of the country’s main security and counterterrorism agencies, including the Republican Guard and the Central Security Forces, which are trained and equipped by the US.

If they are forced to step down as part of any deal to remove Saleh, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates acknowledged that the country’s counterterrorism efforts would be left in the hands of untested lieutenants.

“We have had a lot of counterterrorism cooperation from President Saleh and Yemeni security services. So, if that government collapses or is replaced by one that is dramatically more weak, then I think we’ll face some additional challenges out of Yemen,” the New York Times quoted Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, as saying.

“There’s no question about it. It’s a real problem,” he added.

Gregory Johnsen, a Princeton scholar who closely tracks militants in Yemen, said that the US’ narrow focus on combating Al-Qaeda through military operations overseen by Saleh and his family means its position could be precarious in a post-Saleh Yemen.

“The US idea of tying counterterrorism to this one family has not been the best way to approach the Al-Qaeda problem,” Johnsen said.

Protesters have been demanding for an end to Saleh’s three-decade long rule because of his lack of democratic reform, widespread corruption and human rights abuses carried out by his family members and close allies.

Earlier, in February 2011, he had announced that he would not seek reelection in 2013, but would finish out his term.

He has also warned that any attempt at overthrowing him would result in a civil war. (ANI)