A video grab from Yemen's state television shows hundreds of demonstrators during a protest in the northwestern city of Saada June 17, 2009 against the kidnap of nine foreign aid workers and the killing of three hostages. Thousands of Yemenis marched on Wednesday in protest at the killing of three foreign hostages as security forces expanded the search for six still held by kidnappers. (Yemen TV, via Reuters)A New Base? Al Qaeda Rises in Yemen -- ABC News
Suspected of Kidnapping 9 Foreigners, Al Qaeda Seems to Be Gaining Momentum
The recent kidnapping of nine foreign aid workers in Yemen, three of whom were reported killed Monday, has heightened attention on the activities here of al Qaeda -- which some analysts blame for the attack.
The group appears to be using Yemen's factionalism to gain momentum in the country, one of the poorest in the Arab world.
A separatist movement in the south and an unrelenting rebel group in the north have left Yemen's central government with little control reaching beyond the capital of Sanaa. That makes the country an ideal place for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) -- the regional branch of the international movement -- to gain popularity among those disenfranchised by the government.
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Update: Slaughter of Foreigners in Yemen Bears Mark of Former Gitmo Detainee, Say Experts -- FOX News
My Comment: Yemen is the Arab version of a failed state. After years of open rebellion and civil war, followed by separatist movements and terrorist attacks, world attention is only now becoming focused on Yemen.
The kidnapping and murder of Western hostages highlights this anarchy. The fact that the majority of Guantanamo inmates are Yemeni should also give us pause.
Unfortunately, like Somalia, Yemen's problems are huge and overwhelming. Can we solve them .... no. The only thing that we can do is help those who want to change the status quo .... but we should not expect miracles.