Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Airstrike kills Yemen mediator, tribes hit pipeline
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
North Korea cuts ties with South
| Video
11:29am EDT
Obama tells military: prepare for North Korea aggression
24 May 2010
Covert U.S. operations authorized in secret order
24 May 2010
UPDATE 2-U.S., European economies face major hurdles-GE CEO
24 May 2010
Government needs BP technology to "kill" oil spill
| Video
11:47am EDT
BP exploring new option to siphon off spill oil
3:04am EDT
Euro seen heading for parity with dollar
7:38am EDT
Stocks tumble on euro-zone fears
| Video
11:41am EDT
U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade
14 Oct 2009
Commodities, stocks fall on rising risk aversion
| Video
10:25am EDT
Euro seen heading for parity with dollar
7:38am EDT
Exclusive: U2's North American tour cancelled
8:51am EDT
U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade
14 Oct 2009
North Korea cuts ties with South
| Video
11:29am EDT
Raleigh ranked top U.S. city for quality of life: poll
24 May 2010
Scenarios: Europe's debt woes could weigh on U.S. recovery
24 May 2010
Obama tells military: prepare for North Korea aggression
24 May 2010
Learning a new language? Try Globish, author says
23 May 2010
Covert U.S. operations authorized in secret order
24 May 2010
WRAPUP 5-US needs BP technology in moves to "kill" oil spill
11:46am EDT
Commentary
Bernd Debusmann:
In Mexico, a drug war of choice?
Mexico's drug war history has two versions, one of which paints President Felipe Calderon in a desperate fight to legitimize his presidency by waging war on drug cartels. Is he stuck in a battle he can't win? Commentary
Slideshow: Mexico's bloody drug war
Airstrike kills Yemen mediator, tribes hit pipeline
Mohammed Ghobari
SANAA
Tue May 25, 2010 11:21am EDT
Related News
Yemeni tribesmen kidnap U.S. couple near Sanaa
3:35am EDT
Analysis view: Airstrike kills Yemen mediator
7:23am EDT
SANAA (Reuters) - An airstrike in Yemen targeting al Qaeda missed its mark on Tuesday and killed a mediator by mistake, prompting members of his tribe to blow up a crude oil pipeline in clashes that followed, a provincial official said.
World
A Yemeni news website seen as aligned with the opposition said the strike was carried out by a drone, a weapon that the Yemen military is not believed to have. U.S. forces helping Yemen fight al Qaeda have used drones in the past, but a U.S. diplomat declined to say if the United States was involved.
The strike could heighten anti-U.S. sentiment and broaden al Qaeda's appeal among some influential Yemeni tribes, threatening efforts to stabilize a country neighboring oil power Saudi Arabia and busy international shipping lanes, analysts said.
The botched bombing of a U.S. airliner on December 25, claimed by al Qaeda's Yemen-based wing, spurred Washington to step up security help to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government, which faces multiple grave challenges apart from militancy.
The Yemeni mediator, who had been trying to persuade members of the global militant group to surrender, was killed instantly in a pre-dawn strike on his car in Yemen's mountainous Maarib province that also killed three other people.
"Jaber al-Shabwani, the deputy governor of Maarib, was killed with a number of his relatives and travel companions in an airstrike targeting the Wadi Obeida area, where al Qaeda elements are present," the provincial official said.
"The deputy governor was on a mediation mission to persuade al Qaeda elements to hand themselves over to the authorities, but it seems that the airstrike missed its target and struck his car, killing him instantly in addition to three companions," he added, declining to be named. Two others were wounded.
The strike provoked clashes between the army and members of Shabwani's tribe, and the tribesmen attacked the pipeline that ferries crude oil from Maarib, east of the capital Sanaa, to the Red Sea coast, the official said.
The United States and Saudi Arabia want Yemen, which is trying to end a conflict with Shi'ite rebels in the north while separatist sentiment bubbles over in the south, to focus its efforts on fighting al Qaeda, seen as a greater global threat.
NO EXPORT DISRUPTION
The Yemen authorities declared war on al Qaeda in January following the failed December attack, stepping up air strikes on the group, which has threatened attacks against Western targets in the oil-exporting region.
A statement from a Yemeni High Security Council source expressed sorrow for the death of Shabwani and called him a martyr, but did not specify who carried out the strike or what type of aircraft was used.
A U.S. diplomat would not discuss the attack. Washington backed Sanaa's fight against al Qaeda by training Yemeni forces, sharing information and providing equipment, and recognized al Qaeda in Yemen was a threat to both countries, he said.
"So we are working together. The Yemeni forces always take the lead in operations carried out in Yemen using some of that support that we have provided for them through training and information sharing..." the diplomat said.
Asked directly if the U.S. was involved in the strike, he said: "If you want operation-specific details you need to contact the Yemeni government."
Yemen and U.S. military targeted al Qaeda figures in Yemen, the ancestral home of the network's leader Osama bin Laden, after the September 11, 2001, attacks. A CIA drone fired a missile that killed al Qaeda's leader in Yemen in 2002.
Yemen's foreign minister said earlier this year that Yemen needed logistical support to help fight al Qaeda but would not allow foreign covert operations against the group on its soil.
In Maarib province where Tuesday's airstrike took place, clashes with the mediator's tribe spread from the countryside to Maarib town, where dozens of tribal gunmen opened fire on government buildings. The army was returning fire. At least seven people were injured, a local official said.
Security officials said angry tribes blocked the main road between Sanaa and Maarib, preventing trucks carrying cooking gas and petrol from reaching the capital.
Tuesday's strike had likely intended to hit Ayed al-Shabwani, an al Qaeda leader whose farm in Maarib province was the target of a strike in January, the provincial official said. Shabwani is a relative of the mediator who was killed.
Shipping companies said there was no impact on exports from the attack on the pipeline, which ferries crude to the Ras Isa offshore export terminal. Authorities could not immediately reach the affected area.
(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Sanaa, William Maclean in London, and Simon Webb and Luke Pachymuthu in Dubai; Writing by Cynthia Johnston; editing by Samia nakhoul)
World
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Tuesday, 25 May 2010 IMF warns on weak Spanish growth, Madrid takes more measures
Gunmen kill Iraqi who won parliamentary seat
Twitter bans outside advertising in tweet stream
Obama Proposes Bill to Cut Out "Unnecessary" Budget Items
Shakira, Pitbull, R. Kelly Headline 2010 Official FIFA World Cup Album
Cash-for-access row only latest to hit British royal
Nokia and team up on maps, email
Israeli minister attacked in Jerusalem
Study: Mainstream Media Slow To Pick Up Content From Blogs
Lohan ordered to wear tag, submit to drug tests
Britain's Tony Blair teams with green investment group
Psychologist Says Deerfield Beach Teen Suffered From PTSD
Google reveals revenue splits with websites
Bomb hits Afghan bus, kills five civilians
Muslim American Cleric Awlaki Issues New Threats
Husband of late actress Brittany Murphy found dead
US-TECH Summary
Yemen opposition lauds amnesty but skeptical
|
Coast Guard Rescues Five From Sinking Vessel Off Florida Coast
Facebook CEO: privacy controls "missed the mark"
Gunmen kill Iraqi who won parliamentary seat: police
|
Campbell Soup Co. Q1 Profit Dips On Charges, Sales Improve
Wynonna Judd Releases Exclusive Album, Products To Cracker Barrel Stores
Nokia and join forces for PC, mobile web services
True Blood Giving Ultimate Fan Experience In Select Theaters
Burundi starts vote-counting in district polls
|
New Pussycat Dolls Line-Up Revealed
Apple's Jobs to give keynote at developers conference
Israeli minister attacked in Jerusalem
|
Facebook 'missed the mark' on privacy: founder
Nokia and team up on maps, email
US-TECH Summary
Nokia and join forces for PC, mobile web services
Afghans: 7 arrests in deaths of 6 NATO troops
More US troops in Afghanistan than Iraq: Pentagon
Two Koreas snarl at each other
Facebook CEO: privacy controls missed the mark
|
WRAPUP 9-Two Koreas snarl at each other, tensions rise
China taking tough line as dialogue with US begins
Turkmens set to start work on new gas pipeline
'Pink Hitler' poster upsets Sicilians
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sean Hayes to host Broadway's Tony Awards
Japan coach keeps job after loss to South Korea
Lohan fitted with alcohol monitoring device
Jessica Simpson wins ban on exercise video
Bold or boring? Press splits over Thai Cannes winner
Brittany Murphy's husband found dead in Los Angeles
Li, Nishikori lead Asian charge at French Open
Serbia dreams of becoming movie hotspot
Museum honours forger who stung it for a fortune
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
Youngest Everest climber wants others to 'go big'
As Thai monarchy's power wanes, king still revered
Police: Bomb kills 2 in southwestern Pakistan
Clinton: Koreas security situation 'precarious'
Sean Hayes to host Broadway's Tony Awards
|
KISS unveils Hottest Show on Earth tour of U.S.
|
Prosecutors seek 10-year jail for militant suspect
Iran nuclear deal has technical flaw: experts
Mauritanian court to rule on killing of French tourists
North Korea ready to fight if attacked: report
|
Canon to freeze development of home-use SED TVs
Fresh BA cabin crew strike takes off
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
Nokia and Yahoo forge maps and e-mail deal
Four killed as Jamaicans clash over drug lord
|
Lawmakers eye communications law revamp
Ne-Yo To Release "Beautiful Monster" From Upcoming Fourth Album
Fears grow that banks could send euro crisis global
Pac-Man play to stay at Google
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
|
U.S. Markets Dip As Spain Adds To European Debt Concerns
Focus on content as AOL marks 25th birthday
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
Yemeni tribesmen kidnap U.S. couple near Sanaa
|
Fed Not Likely To Sell Assets Until After Rate Hike
Small Intel chips add muscle to ultra-thin laptops
IBM buys Sterling Commerce from AT&T for 1.4 billion dollars
Black box of crashed Air India plane found
|
Tanker and bulk carrier collide off Singapore
|
US-TECH Summary
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
Nokia and Yahoo forge maps and e-mail deal
Small Intel chips add muscle to ultra-thin laptops
Covert U.S. operations authorized in secret order
UN expert condemns Papua New Guinea torture
US slams BP, but awaits latest bid to plug oil leak
Australia minister attacks 'creepy' Google in Web row
Obama, Congress reach deal on gays in military
Seoul resumes psychological warfare with Pyongyang
'Black box' recovered from India plane crash
Chinese envoy holds Seoul talks amid tensions
Officials say asylum seeker boat could have sunk
US admiral critiques military ties with China
China, US wrap up key talks on economy, N.Korea
Floods kill 115 in southern China
Microsoft to shake up phone, Xbox unit: report
|
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
|
Lawmakers eye communications law revamp
|
buys mobile phone networking firm Koprol
Canon to freeze development of home-use SED TVs
|
Australia banknote scandal widens: report
Taiwan stocks post 9-mth closing low; Hon Hai sinks
S.Korea won falls 2.8 pct; worst day in 14 mths
Seoul shares post 15-wk closing low; N.Korea weighs
Standard Chartered's India offering opens
S.Korea seen selling dlrs again to lift won-dealers
Prudential chairman confident in AIA deal
Romania's homeless given a chance by recycling computers
KOREA MARKETS-Stocks, won dive on worsening conflict with North
South Korean markets jolted by tensions with the North
Jack Bauer turns fugitive on final "24"
Singer Christina Aguilera cancels summer tour
Bloody finale ends groundbreaking '24' show
Bassist with metal band Slipknot dies in Iowa
Two U.S. Hikers Jailed In Iran Engaged, Third Hiker Is Best Man
Phil Spector produces new album -- for wife
U.S. Teen Is Youngest To Summit Mount Everest
Brazil launches international TV network
Firm Recalls Alfalfa Sprout Tainted With Salmonella After 20 Sickened
Rocker David Byrne sues Florida governor over ad
White House to host concert honoring Paul McCartney
Geneticists Create First Synthetic Bacteria
Court Orders Tax-Cheating Bridal Shop Owner To Donate 1,500 Prom Dresses As Restitution
U.S. To Deport Immigrant Students Who Staged Sit-In At Senators Office
British Girl Grows 2 More Kidneys That Replaced Diseased Pair
Hooters Orders Waitress To Trim Fat
Study: UK Cellphone Owners Likely To Ignore Calls From Loved Ones
Jack Bauer turns fugitive on final 24
|
Woman Hides In Coffin During Escape From Police
Bassist with metal band Slipknot dies in Iowa
|
Singer Christina Aguilera cancels summer tour
|
Phil Spector produces new album -- for wife
|
Talking Heads' Byrne sues Florida Gov Crist for song
|
Gunmen kill 8 in Baghdad jewellery heists
New British PM targets economy in royal speech
Gunmen kill 14 in Baghdad gold heist
Schoolboy throws plastic bottle at France's Sarkozy
Airstrike kills Yemen mediator, tribes hit pipeline
|
Iran police to confront "illegal" June protests
First European trial of Somali pirate suspects opens
Ethiopia's Meles urges recognition of poll win
|
Iran says to reconsider fuel swap if sanctions imposed
BP hatches 'top kill' bid to plug oil leak
Queen to outline British coalition's plans
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
Bus plunge in Turkey kills 13 Russians, two Turks
Mladic family asking Serbia to declare him dead
|
World stocks and euro slump on eurozone, Korea fears
US-TECH Summary
Gunmen kill 14 in Baghdad gold heist: police
|
Ethiopian PM celebrates controversial election win
Police arrest 32 across Europe in Irish gang crackdown
|
S.Korea urges China to help punish N.Korea
Rich-poor divide clouds Czech policy as vote looms
|
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
|
Sudan charges opposition journalist with terrorism
|
UK government plans political reform
|
Thai ex-PM Thaksin charged with terrorism
French journalists detained in Indonesia's Papua
SKorea resumes psychological warfare with NKorea
'Black box' recovered from India plane crash
Pakistan court: Mumbai suspect can stay free
Boxing champ Pacquiao discharged from hospital
Suicides expose stresses of China factory life
Pakistani court quashes appeals against militant
Pakistani stocks fall 2.67 pct on uncertainty
Retail therapy as Thai malls open after protests
Toshiba, Babcock & Wilcox in nuclear energy deal
Korea tensions, Europe crisis batter Asian markets
Prudential chairman confident in AIA deal
S.Korea BOK April meeting discussed policy change
Facebook CEO: privacy controls missed the mark
|
China, US claim progress, but differences linger
EU gives euro200 million for Indonesian education
Exclusive: U2's North American tour cancelled
Iran film director freed on bail
Cameron revives Eton's link to British premiership
Bollywood film 'Kites' rises abroad, falls at home
World Cup crowns struggle for 'White Zulu' Johnny Clegg
Slipknot bassist Paul Gray dead at 38: reports
Exclusive: U2's North American tour cancelled
|
Crystal and Lee to sing for American Idol title
|
Michael Douglas looks at life as a Solitary Man
|
Jesse James says Bullock likely suspected affairs
|
Iran film director freed on bail
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights