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Fighting Terrorism in Yemen An Account of the Appearance of
Terror Phenomenon in the Republic of Yemen
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Preface
Yemen And Terrorism
Negative Impacts Of Terroristic Acts
Criminal Acts By Terrorist Groups
Damages Affecting The Economic Sector
Precautionary And Protective Measures
Continuation Of Precautionary Measures
Yemeni Is A Partner In The Fight Against Terrorism
Commitment Of Constitution And Islamic Sharia Values
Refuting Misleading Debates
Overcome Narrow-Partisan Views
Comprehensive Mobilization To Counter Terrorism
Poor Educational Curricula
A Brief Summary Of The Yemeni Ulamas Statement On The Terrorism Phenomenon |
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Preface: Today, the world is facing internal security challenges, and thunderstorms of external changes, all related to the phenomenon of terrorism, which has become universal and comprehensive, and is threatening nations and countries with its devastating effects. We all stand to adopt the candid and frank discourse of wisdom and equilibrium in dealing and reacting to this phenomenon. The whole world needs to stand firm in tackling these situations. The terrorist acts that were committed in the Republic of Yemen recently represent a dangerous challenge for the government of Yemen towards the terrorism phenomenon. They are part of a general plan by the terrorist groups to shake up the pillars of security, stability and social peace and harm the supreme national interests. Moreover, they intend to place Yemen among the targeted areas under the pretext of fighting terror, which the whole world has agreed to fight. As it is known, the terror phenomenon is alien to our Muslim Yemeni society and contradicts its deeply-rooted and noble traditions and values.
The terrorism phenomenon, which is as old as mankind, has been always denounced and rejected throughout history. Human nature has been endowed with love for good, peace, security and stability while evil and violence have remained strange and anomalous manifestations and contrary to the nature implanted by God in man. Thus, human history has bad memories of such evil manifestations, which have only left death and destruction and utter failure in the achievement of its subversive aims. God says in the holy Koran: “For the scum disappears like froth cast out, while that which is for the good of mankind remains on earth”.
Regardless of the reasons that led to terrorism and terrorists their justifications remain weak, because killing innocent people, which God forbade, is a crime that can not be justified in any way. Thus, it is impermissible to take a human life except by right which God the Almighty approved in his Holy Book. Apart from this it is unlawful to . Besides, killing innocent people contradicts all values of religion, humanity and good morals. |
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Yemen and Terrorism:
In Yemen, the land of faith and wisdom, we have lived for many ancient ages far from the terror phenomenon except in certain sporadic periods in our contemporary history. During those periods the Yemeni society suffered from this phenomenon, especially what has recently occurred under the excuse of the alleged defense of Islam by misguided elements, which hold extremist concepts in our Islamic religion.
Since the establishment of the Republic of Yemen in May 22nd, 1990 and the adoption of democratic pluralism based on the principles of Shoura principles of Islamic shari’a values and goals, the door was made wide open before all political forces, organizations and parties to express themselves through their organizations, the press and the expression of different opinions in different platforms without any ban on anyone. In this way, all causes and motives for violence and terrorism are eliminated and any adoption, support or slip into terrorism has become unjustifiable.
The political leadership headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh has always been more determined to eliminate all motives and justifications for political violence, even during the harshest circumstances, which occurred in the country in 1980s and 1990s of the last century and early in this century and early in this century. But, we were surprised, since the accident of Abu Al-Hassan Al-Mehdar in 1998 and the subsequent terrorist and violent accidents, that the Republic of Yemen has become a target for those terrorist groups without any clear justification despite the climate of full freedom that allowed the formation of parties, issuing papers and expressing different opinions. This is what made the terror phenomenon in Yemen an alien and denounced phenomenon as it does not have any justifications other than the shortsighted and wrong understanding of the religion, absence of correct vision of the noble Islamic Shari’a goals or justifications based on dark and closed minds emanating from blind spitefulness against every thing. |
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Negative Impacts Of Terroristic Acts: Yemen has faced in the past few years a number of challenges and difficulties due to the growth of the phenomenon of terrorism, which has been incarnated in acts of violence, kidnapping, and various sabotage acts carried out by outlaw extremist groups. These acts have affected development process, national economy, Yemen’s international relationships and the country’s image abroad.
These criminal acts which were carried out by such groups have placed the country in a sensitive and critical situation and highlighted at the same time a number of facts. These acts have also uncovered those who exploited the democratic climates, political pluralism, multi-party system, freedom of press and freedom of expression in order to achieve their goals and selfish ambitions which contradict the supreme interests of the homeland. For they nurtured and encouraged the terror phenomenon in its different forms. They also worked hard to develop and expand terror with the aim of causing the biggest damage possible on both the domestic and foreign levels. They have also continued to distort the homeland’s reputation.
If some aspects of violence and terrorism had already started in the past, the existence of some terrorist elements is a result of the encouragement given to them by some radical groups, as well as the qualitative shift from the banditry and kidnapping operations to terrorist operations that exploit religion and foreign-funded external ideological nurturing as what we see happen in the second half of the last decade in the killing of a number of British and Australian tourists in December 1998 by Abu Al-Hassan Al-Mehdar and his group. All these events made the government pay more attention and concern and to realize, without any doubt, that the homeland and the people’s accomplishment have become targets to the terrorist groups. The government also realized that this dangerous disease has overgrown to the extent that it required international efforts to eliminate it. The Yemeni government has made numerous regional and international contacts with some brotherly and friendly countries to this end, but it did not find listening ears to its warnings nor a real cooperation then. The beginning of change in the international position came when the U. S. S. Cole bomb attack took place in the port of Aden in October 2000. The United States administration started the security cooperation with the Yemeni government to apprehend those who were involved in the Cole attack and to establish their links with Al-Qaida organization. However, that cooperation did not extend to include support for our security apparatuses and development of their capabilities. The situation continued in this manner until 11th of September 2001 events when the United States and the whole world witnessed the worst terrorist disaster. As a result, attention on terrorism shifted from the local dimension and so the international terrorism and counter-terrorism became a top issue in international cooperation.
Unfortunately, those who became targets, right after the 11th of September 2001 and within the international campaign to fight terrorism, and who loudly declared their sympathy with the United States and condemned terrorism and demanded punishment for terrorists, did not make any move towards what happened afterward. Those people pretended to forget that what protected both Yemen and them during these circumstances, was not their press statements but the clear governmental position against terrorism and the government’s strong political moves and its clarity in dealing with the event and its repercussions. They also pretended to forget that His Excellency the President of the Republic met with the political parties and organizations’ leaders after his return from Washington, and put them in the full picture of the incidents and the results of his moves and efforts. He emphasized to them the need for national consolidation to confront this dangerous phenomenon. Everybody come out of that meeting committed to put the supreme national interests above any consideration and to support the government’s efforts to counter terrorism. On this premise, the Republic of Yemen’s clear policy continued to fight terror and cooperate with the international community to uproot it. This clear position kept Yemen from becoming a direct target and represented a significant success for the Yemeni political and diplomatic moves led by His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh. |
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[Back to Top] Criminal Acts By Terrorist Groups: In Some provinces in the country have been exposed to bombing incidents by criminal and terrorist element in recent years with the aim of harming security, stability and public tranquility and damaging national economy. In addition to that the explosions which took place during the recent period were carried out in a gradual way terms of the development of their methods, forms and danger and as follows:
· The use of noise bombs
· The use car bombs
· The gradual increase of quantity and power of explosives
· The use of remote control devices
· The use of foreign element in the training and implementation of explosives
· Targeting oil installations and vital and economic interests that affect the whole people
Before reviewing the negative effects and the financial and moral damages that have afflicted the country as a result of these criminal and terrorist acts, it is also important to mention before your house the major ones as follows:
· January 16th, 1997, a car bomb exploded in the province of Aden. TNT explosives were put in the car with a power volume of 6-8 kilograms.
· On December 9th, 1997 investigations and interrogations revealed that Nabil Nanakli (Spanish Nationality) was heading a sabotage network that was planning to carry out assassination operations against senior officials and leaders in the country and carrying out sabotage acts against public and foreign interests. He was arrested after he fired at a female tourist in the capital Sana'a using a silencer pistol.
· July 2nd, 1998 an explosion took place in the village of Al-Khadad, the province of Lahaj, when saboteurs were preparing the explosives. The explosion resulted in the killing of the seven saboteurs.
· December 9th, 1998 a car bomb exploded in Al-Askareya area, the province of Lahaj when saboteurs were preparing the car to target vital and important interests and facilities in Aden.
· December 23rd 1998, a ten person group carrying British and French nationalities was arrested in the provinces of Aden and Shabwa. They possessed a large quantity of devices, equipment and tools with the aim of destabilizing security. The group was sent by Abu Hamza Al-Masri to Abu Al-Hassan Al-Mehdar to carry out sabotage acts including the kidnapping of foreign tourists. He also provided them with financial and material aid. The following items were seized with the group:
*Hostile leaflets on behalf of the so called Aden Abyan Islamic Army.
*Wool masks and military uniforms.
*Different electronic devices including ID cards wrapping machine, sound mixer machine, recorders, and GPS devices.
*Al-Thuraya satellite phone system.
*Medicines, powders and cosmetics to help in disguise.
*Explosives such as the U. S. made anti-tanks RPG rockets launderers and mines to explode heavy weight targets.
This group was tried and judicial sentences were issued against them. The results of investigations proved the involvement of the so-called Abu Hamza Al-Masri who resided in London and carries the British nationality. It was proved that Al-Masri had contacts with and incited the group to execute terrorist and sabotage acts within the framework of the so-called Aden Abyan Islamic Army.
-December 28th, 1998 a terrorist group calling itself Aden Abyan Islamic Army led by the so-called Abu Al-Hassan Al-Mehdar kidnapped a group of tourists in the directorate of Moudia, Abyan. The province incident resulted in the killing of four tourists and the injury of two.
-October 12th, 2000 a terrorist group attacked the U. S. S. Cole in the port of Aden. The group used a boat loaded with explosives. The incident resulted in the killing of 17 American sailors and the injury of 28 others. The ship was also badly damaged.
-The next day, October 13th, 2000 an explosion took place in the British Embassy in Sana'a and resulted in big damages in the building of the Embassy and neighboring houses. The power generator of the Embassy was also destroyed.
-December 18th, 2001 a security and military unit, while chasing some wanted elements hidden in Hosson Al-Jalal area in the province of Marib, was ambushed and fired at by sabotage elements. The attack resulted in the killing of 19 officers and soldiers and the injury of 28 people in addition to the destruction of a number of military vehicles.
-April 16th 2002, a big explosion took place in the building of the General Authority for Civil Aviation at Zubairi Street. C3 explosives connected with a time bomber was used in the operation. The explosion resulted in an all over damages in the building and damages in neighboring houses.
-July 14th, 2002 an extremist called Esam Abdo Hassan Barook was carrying explosive with the aim of using them to sabotage one of the important facilities in the Sala area, Taiz province. The explosives went off and ripped the saboteur to pieces. Later, security authorities found in his house a number of metal pipes filled with TNT and ready to explode.
-August 9th, 2002 while saboteurs were preparing explosives in a rented apartment in a building belonging to Kayid Al-Chaghdri in Soqotra street in Al-Qadysia neighborhood in Sana'a, the explosives went off killing the two saboteurs. The explosion led to the abortion of six pregnant ladies in the neighboring buildings. Security authorities found in the apartment 13 fruits and vegetables baskets full of explosives and covered on top with pomegranates. The explosives were estimated to be 337 kilograms of the TNT, two MTS missiles and a number of grenades and launchers. This quantity, if used, would have resulted in heavy material damages and casualties.
-October 6th 2002. Terrorists attacked the French oil tanker Limburg near Al-Daba port in the city of Al-Mukala the province of Hadhramount. The result was a big hall in the body of the ship and a big fire that led to the killing of one person and the injury of 17 others in addition to the leakage of a huge quantity of crude oil into the sea.
-A couple of days later and in November 3rd, 2002, a group assigned by Qaed Salim Suniyan Al-Harithi carried out an attempt to shoot down a chopper belonging to Hunt Oil Company near Sana’a International Airport. They fired Sam 2 missile which missed the chopper, but they fired a barrage of bullets two of which penetrated the body of the craft and injured two of the oil engineers who were on board.
-December 20th 2002, Based on information that a number of elements suspected to belong to Al-Qaida organization in a residential building in Foa area outside Al-Mukala city, the province of Hadhramout, police forces headed to the site and upon arrival the suspects started throwing grenades and shooting on the police, killing two of the police forces and injuring four others. The police then found in the suspects’ apartment 19 different grenades, two machine guns and a quantity of ammunitions.
-December 28th, 2002, Ali Ahmed Jarrallah Al-Saawani committed the last terrorist incident and assassinated the outstanding socialist activist and politician Jarrallah Omar while attending the opening session of the third general conference of the Yemeni Reforms Congregation (Islah) party in the sports center. This criminal act showed the extent of terrorism in targeting national unity, social peace, political freedom and the principles of democracy and human rights.
-In the morning of Monday December 30th, 2002, Abed Abdul Razak Mohamed Kamil Shot dead at 8 AM, the director of Jebla hospital, Dr. William Kien, Dr. Marta and Dr. Catty. He also injured the fourth doctor called Dr. Kastan. All of them are Americans. The attacker, who entered into the hospital under the pretext of extremism, violence and terrorism, and killed what he regarded as infidels. The killer was arrested.
Thus, the terrorists continue to rock the security and stability and create animosity for the Yemeni people, and continue to harm the country’s relationships with others with the aim of isolating it from its friends all over the world.
While Yemen condemn this operation, Yemen holds those who protect terrorism and hide its members fully responsible. At the same time we convey our deep regrets over what happened to the U. S. administration and people and express condolences and grief to the families of the victims.
Moreover, the results of investigations and interrogation with those who are charged in the criminal terrorist acts that took place in the past period have shown a direct relationship between extremist elements in some political parties and element of Al-Qaida organization. This has been proved through the following:
-The encouragement given to some Al-Qaida elements, who returned to the country, to carry out sabotage and terrorist operations in Yemen.
-The instigation against the government and the people’s supreme interests from mosque pulpits and the establishment of libraries, which include books and audio tapes which propagate extremist religious ideas, and the issuance of internal circulars by those organizations accusing the government of corruption, and hunting down, prosecuting and detaining mujadidin and ulamas under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
-Instigating and encouraging these elements to continue their sabotage activities and not to give themselves up to the government. Extremist elements in some political parties continue to instigate and help smuggling out wanted elements and provide protection and safe haven for others.
-Holding direct meetings between some of the leaders of those political parties and Al-Qaida elements, as indicated by information from the provinces of Lahaj, Al-Bayda, Hodeidah, Marib, Al-Jawf, Saada and Sana’a.
-Instigating and issuing fatwas (rulings) to fight foreigners, especially the Americans, under the claim of jihad against infidels, through mosque sermons, audio tapes and circulars. Investigations with detainees have also shown that those terrorist acts were carried out on the basis of fatwas issued by some extremist religious sheikhs (religion men).
-Encouraging, facilitating and inviting youths of different nationalities to Yemen to join religious schools and colleges and receive extremist religious indoctrination. These youths return to their countries to preach what they call Islamic awakening, resistance against infidels and atheists.
-Harboring and protecting elements wanted by their governments, including Arab nationals who arrived from Afghanistan.
-A large group of these elements in the province of Abyan attended the funeral of the four persons, from Al-Wadie directorate, who were killed with Abu Al-Harthi in Al-Naqaah incident in Marib. The funeral included sermons by some elements, who hailed what they called the martyrdom of heroes, grandsons of Khalid bin Al-Walid and Omar Bin Al-Khatab.
-The existence of financial funding and support of these groups by some religious and charitable institutions and some figures abroad.
-The existence of financial funding and support for the bombing operations, which took place in some provinces, from some secessionist elements living abroad.
In terms of the material and moral damages inflicted on Yemen by those terrorist acts, we would like to mention the following serious impacts as follows:
FIRST: Damages on the Security Level:
These terrorist operations have resulted in huge damages on the stability, security and public safety. These damages were negatively reflected on the reputation of the country and in turn on the development process in general and investment in particular. The government’s adoption of a number of measures and procedures to confront and fight these terrorist and criminal operations have added extra cost on the general budget of the state. These costs were made to intensify military and security campaigns as follows:
Intensifying security deployment in a number of security areas in some provinces of the Republic. These areas were provided with the required equipment, vehicles, buildings and forces. An extra budget was allocated for these areas.
Funds for the military and security campaigns, which move to pursue, chase, besiege and capture the kidnappers of foreigners, were increased.
Additional forces, equipment and weapons were moved to the areas that witness security problems, banditry and kidnapping.
New financial burden was put on the shoulder of the government as a result of recruiting thousands of soldiers to face the additional military and security burdens resulted from the terrorist threats. Moreover, guards and security protection were increased around embassies, foreign companies, consulates and other foreign representation offices and important facilities.
The government has to assume additional financial burdens to develop the coastal guard forces in order to ensure protection for the coastal line of the country and prevent any penetrations. The government has also to reform the borders guard forces and buy military boats, radars and additional surveillance devices with the aim of protecting the coasts and territorial waters from any infiltration and prevent the smuggling of weapons and explosives into the country.
Additional burdens were added as a result of the increase in security forces and necessary equipment in important ports in order to protect commercial ships entering or crossing through these ports from any terrorist acts such as the attacks on the U. S. S. Cole and the French Oil Tanker Limburg, in addition to a number of boats which faced piracy operations in Yemen’s territorial waters.
The government assumes additional financial commitments to protect airports and international airline companies working in Yemen.
Security forces were assigned to protect tourist groups and escorting them during their visits to the historical and tourist sites in different provinces.
Security forces were assigned to protect oil fields and oil companies working in Yemen. Moreover, land, sea and air forces were assigned to protect oil exporting ports in Al-Daba, Al-Nashima, Rodhom, the oil ship Safer, Ras Essa port and the oil refinery port of Aden.
Security forces were assigned to escort gas vehicles in Sana’a, Marib road, in order to protect them from banditry, robbery and shooting.
The government has to bury the oil pipe each time it is damaged. The pipe stretches from Safir oil fields to the exporting port in Ras Essa. Forces were assigned to protect the pipe from digging and bombing operations especially in areas it passes through in the province of Marib and some areas of Kholan, the governorate of Sana’a.
According to signed agreements, the government has to pay compensations for foreign companies for their cars and vehicles that are stolen or abducted either from inside the capital Sana’a or any other area especially Sana’a Marib road.
Additional security forces are assigned to escort some foreign ambassadors in addition to extra financial burdens as a result of the increase in police patrol forces to follow up and prevent any acts that damage security and public stability.
The fall of a number of citizens, army and security forces and the injury of others as victims of the terrorist gangs when they pursue and chase kidnappers of foreigners, saboteurs of the oil pipe line, car thieves and bandits. In addition to that several equipment, vehicles and machines are stolen, destroyed and damaged.
The government pays compensations and costs of ports guards, tankers and the annual cost for the safety of the exportation carried out by “Canadian Nexen” company. All these costs are deducted from the government’s share since the government is responsible for security in accordance with the signed agreements.
These extra funds and costs could have been used for development and service projects in remote areas that have been deprived of such projects.
These evidences and proofs of the involvement of some political parties elements in encouraging and instigating the terrorist and sabotage elements raise a question on the behavior and role of these elements and whether this behavior forms a strategy for this party or an individual behavior practiced by some extremist elements inside the party ?
The national responsibility and the protection of the supreme homeland’s interests require this kind of confrontation and frankness. These figures should clearly announce their positions vis-à-vis these sabotage operations.
SECOND: Damages on Political and Media Levels
Yemen has faced many distortion campaigns unprecedented in its history. Unfortunately, some of these campaigns were carried out voluntarily by some suspicious elements with the aim of damaging the country and its reputation. These elements have conveyed incorrect and wrong information on the terrorist acts in Yemen to regional and international agencies. They claimed that there is an official tarrying and slackness in missions and responsibilities of the government to fight this serious phenomenon.
Terrorist operations especially Al-Mehdar incidents and the attacks on Cole and Limburg have resulted in numerous material and morale damages. Moreover, some anti-Yemen countries and external forces have tried to distort the reputation of Yemen by claiming it has become a good environment for the growth of terrorism and terrorists and also a safe heaven that is officially protected and ignored by keeping a blind eye on it.
Some partisan media have dealt with these events in an irresponsible way. They exaggerate in reflecting the size and level of these terrorist acts and underestimate the government’s measures and even distorting these measures and completely ignore the homeland’s interests. This has also reflected itself on the external media which eventually led some European countries to issue warnings for their nationals not to visit Yemen. Furthermore, some Western governments have repeatedly closed down their embassies and consulates in the capital Sana’a.
This irresponsible dealing with events by some and the lack of appreciation of the security authorities precautions or protective measures taken after the terrorist operations led to the creation of rumors and disenfranchising public opinion, and exposing the government to embarrassment and pressures on the government by domestic and foreign human rights organizations. The last of these was a visit by such organizations members to Yemen to inspect conditions of prisoners besides the issuance of reports by human rights international organizations and agencies based on wrong claims and wrong information on this issue.
Using pressure on Yemen to reduce the honest and candid media voice in support of the Palestinian intefadah (uprising) and abort the Yemeni courageous voice embodied by His Excellency the President in his call to confront the Zionist invaders and reject intervention in Iraq’s affairs, the threat to launch a devastating strike against it and overthrow its regime.
The terrorist acts have negatively affected Yemen and gave a chance to some neighboring countries to offer its territories to foreign presence. A chance was also given to some countries to intervene in the policies of other countries whose interests are subject to aggression, including Yemen.
Intensifying measures on Yemeni passengers especially those traveling to the United States and Europe, and casting doubts on travelers who were subjected to strict treatments and inspection and search for more than once. A number of emigrants and Yemeni communities members abroad were arrested and put in custody. In addition to that, Yemenis who seek citizenship and permanent residence face serious difficulties including selective imposition of fines and fees with the aim of bothering and deporting them. Moreover, racist exercises have occurred against Yemeni emigrants who are looked at in a suspicious way under the excuse they belong to a homeland that harbor terrorist and finance terror.
THIRD: Damages on the Economic Level
The terrorist and sabotage operations have caused the worst damages in the performance of the different economic sectors which badly affected the economic growth level and the development process in general. Of course, we know that Yemen’s backwardness economically and socially is the result of centuries of isolations. Thus, getting out of this isolation and opening-up to the world was the only way to overcome these conditions. This reflects the importance of the foreign factor in the economic and social development whether this factor is linked to foreign assistance or loans, which finance between 38% to 50% of the government investment expenditures directed to the economic and social development. This is also applicable to the big foreign investments in strategic fields such as oil and gas. Such projects require a convenient investment climate of which security and stability are the most important factors.
In addition to that the remittances by Yemeni expatriates abroad have been the main source of hard currency for the country. They represent until now about 50% of the country’s needs of hard currency. |
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Although, it is difficult to mention in full details all economic damages resulted by the kidnapping, sabotage and terrorist acts, it is still possible to mention some of the damages that affected some economic sectors as follows:
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Damages Affecting The Economic Sector: I. Tourism and Environment Sector
A-Tourism
Tourist facilities have been badly affected in addition to travel agencies and hotels. All activities related to tourism such as restaurants and handicrafts were affected as a result of the following:
-Sharp decline in the number of tourists visiting Yemen since 1999 immediately after the Abyan incident in December 1998. The number of tourists went down by 40% in 1999 compared to 1998.
-90% of tourist bookings at hotels and agencies were cancelled.
- The tourist operation capacity declined to the minimum level and reached 10% at hotels, agencies, restaurants and transportation, closing down many tourist facilities (hotels and tourism agencies) and suspending tourist projects which were under implementation. Some flights by foreign and Arab airliners were also suspended.
-Laying off of a large number of employees who used to work in tourist facilities. Damaging the promotion efforts in international tourist gatherings and international exhibitions. This led to damaging the fruits which were expected by the huge expenditures spent by the government on marketing and promotion activities abroad.
-The continuation and increase of consecutive losses in the operation expenditures of the tourist facilities in recent years (especially after the attacks on Cole and Limburg )
-Closing down a large number of tourist companies, agencies, offices.
-Decline of Yemen ' s tourist revenues to the minimum level since 1998 until 2001 at 54. 7%.
B- Environment
An environmental disaster occured along the coasts of the Province of Hadhramout and reached 130 kilometers as a result of a spilling of 150 thousand barrel of crude oil which leaked from the French oil tanker Limburg. 500 square kilometers of surface waters in the city of AI-Mukala was contaminated. The slick even got bigger and expanded to other coasts and areas by strong winds which swept the oil slicks. The disaster also damaged marine organs, including huge quantities of fish, turtles, birds and coral reeves. Field survey also showed that the disaster affected thousands of fishermen especially those who depend on traditional fishing as their main and sole source of income.
The country's losses as a result of the disaster is estimated at 16 million US dollar including one million to clean up the beach, rehabilitate environment, purchase equipment and devices and expenditures of experts and technicians. Fifteen million dollars were the tourist sector's loss as a result of this environment disaster. Moreover, the revenues of the fishery exports declined sharply as a result of the contamination that hit an area that was known to be rich in its fisheries and as important marine resources.
The survey also showed that around 50% of the quantity fishermen are allowed to fish was damaged. The damages are also expected to continue for the coming seasons and might continue for several years. This will result in imbalance of the fishery reserve, especially that the disaster took place in the procreation season of fisheries of certain types of high demands at high prices.
2. Transport Sector
-The maritime activities in the different Yemeni ports were badly damaged after the incident of the French Oil tanker Limburg, especially the Containers Terminal of the Aden Free Zone. The number of containers in the terminal fell from 43000 in September to less than 3000 in November 2002. This is because maritime companies using the port of Aden as a distribution station in the region decided to move to the ports of Salala, Djbouti and Jeddah. Their decision was taken after the rise of the insurance rate on ships and goods arriving in Yemeni ports. The rate rose up to 300% under what is called "war risk". The rise of the insurance rate led to the rise of the freight rates and the hike up of prices of most of the food and consuming supplies. According to preliminary figures, the loss is estimated at 15 million US dollar a month.
3. Investment Sector
Some investment companies and investors decided against the implementation of some projects which others cancelled new projects. The volume of the invested capital fell to 34% in Industry, 25% in Agriculture, 22% in services and 47% in the tourist field. The total cost of the investment projects that could be implemented reached 446 million US dollar. The operation capacity of Yemeni labor fell to 4360 workers. The tourist facilities projects in the Island of Zuqar at the cost of 500 million US dollar was also hindered. The project was supposed to create 3000 jobs.
A number of investment projects, which have been already implemented at the cost of several millions of dollar, were suspended. Thousands of job opportunities were lost. The total loss could be estimated at 1. 8 billion US dollar.
On the other hand, and based on a long term perspective, the deterioration of the growth rates in the different economic sectors will put tens of thousands of workers to the path of unemployment. This, of course, will raise the unemployment rate, which in turn might lead to the escalation of the social problems of Yemeni families. It. is feared that this negative impact on the labor. level will continue for a long time.
4. Money and Monetary Sector
The banking sector in Yemen has faced during this period big economic disturbances and losses. They have doubled recently after the bombing attack on the French oil tanker Limburg last October. Transfers and investment flows were directly affected by the damages caused to Yemen's political and economic reputation. This situation was reflected on the expatriates' transfers, which face now exceptiona1 procedures and strict inspection by the monetary authorities in, different countries where Yemeni emigrants live. The banking sector lost main sources of its revenues in hard currency. These transfers fell sharply by around 70%. Usually the exchange rate of the Yemeni Rial against other currencies improves during the two months of Shaaban and Ramadan due to the transfers. But this year (2002) the situation was the opposite due to the decline of the remittances which led to the increase of the exchange rate of the Rial, and eventually forcing the Central Bank of Yemen to overload the market with hard currency.
5. Oil Sector
Yemen's economy basically depends on the oil sector due to the role it plays in economic activities in general. It contributes by 33% to the General Domestic Product and constitutes over 90% of Yemen's exports to the out- side world. It also contributes around 74% to the total revenues of the state general budget. The oil sector is also considered the main source of hard currency for over 50% of the current account's revenues in the balance of payment. Nevertheless, this vital and important sector has been repeatedly subjected to bombings and sabotage- acts by outlawed groups, a matter which is negatively reflected on the exploration, production and investment operations in this sector. The sabotage acts have also had bad impacts on growth indications in the economy in general and especially the economic balances such as ( the state general budget and the balance of payment). |
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Precautionary And Protective Measures: In After reviewing the negative damages and impacts resulted from the aforementioned terrorist operations, there is no doubt that we all realize the dangerous situation we face in all walks of life. As a matter of fact, the government assumes the responsibility of confronting all these challenges by undertaking the necessary measures to avert Yemen the dangers resulted by these criminal practices and acts and working", in all directions to protect Yemeni territories, people and accomplishments.
The security authorities have undertaken various precautions and other protective measures as follows:
-The arrest of the leader of the so called Aden Abyan Army and some of its elements who kidnapped the foreign tourists in the province of Abyan. They were brought to justice and sentences were issued against them.
-The arrest of some persons suspected of being involved in the bomb attack against the. U. S. S. Cole. Investigation with the 14 elements took place in preparation to send them to justice. Other suspected elements are still at large.
-The arrest of the attackers of the British embassy. They were brought to justice and sentences were issued against them.
-The arrest of individuals who were behind the explosions in some hotels and the church in Aden and other bombing operations. They were brought to justice and sentences were issued against them.
-The arrest of some suspects involved in the bomb attack on the French oil tanker Limburg.
-The arrest of some suspects involved with the group that caused the explosion in Al- Qadisya apartment in Soqatra neighborhood in Sanaa.
-The arrest of some of the attackers on the Hunt Oil company chopper. They are being investigated in preparation for a fair trial.
-Prevent foreigners from entering Yemen if they do not have clear addresses or a responsible agency to receive them in accordance with the effective regulations practiced in this regard.
-Prevent foreigners from entering Yemen via countries other than their original countries.
-Adopting necessary measures to insure the safety and protect oil and commercial ports in Yemen. These measures are undertaken by the security bodies with participation from the armed forces.
-Registering details of all foreigners from different nationalities including names, places of work, addresses of residence, details of their cars, their Ids and passports.
-Registering and numbering boats and reorganizing boats' import policy in all coastal provinces in the country.
Based on information that indicated the intention of some terrorist elements to attack national and foreign interests, these security precautions and protective measures have foiled several sabotage and terrorist operations aimed against foreign and national interests. |
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[Back to Top] Continuation Of Precautionary Measures: Thus, through a follow up with the interrogation of active terrorist elements, after their return back from Afghanistan, it was proved that some of them were involved in designs to carry out sabotage operations against facilities, institutions and foreign embassies and companies. The interrogation helped in arresting the most prominent members of the terrorist activities. The total number of those arrested reached 104 elements some of them have direct relationship with the aforesaid terrorist operations that took place in Yemen. Others are detained after it was proved they be- long to AI-Qaida organization.
Nevertheless, His Excellency the President has issued a decree to release 26 of these elements who have vowed to relinquish sabotage activities. His Excellency The President also issued directives to send a security team to the Island of Guantanamo to inspect Yemeni detainees whose number is estimated at 110 persons.
The team has met with most of these detainees and conveyed results of these meetings to the political leadership and government, who follow up their issues with the U. S authorities with the aim of releasing them or sending them back to the homeland. Families of those detainees were notified about their existence. Some personal letters were also conveyed to the families.
The security authorities are still pursuing a number of elements suspected to be members of AI- Qaida. These are Yemenis who use forged names and Identification Cards and are considered active members. Information indicate that these elements have hostile intentions in spite of the efforts exerted with some leaders of these elements through the mediation of political and social dignitaries. Unfortunately, these elements did not respond to the exerted efforts and continued their mischief. This was the case with Abu Ali AI- Harithi who was killed in the Marib incident. He and his companions did not respond to the call of His Excellency the President of the Republic and did not respect his earlier assurances after the kidnapping of the tourists by Al-Mehdar. Even his tribe and members of his clan declared their dissociation with him and declared his killing as lawful after their efforts and good offices failed and after they got desperate to correct his wrong doings and behavior. |
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Yemeni Is A Partner In The Fight Against Terrorism: On the political side, the political leadership has launched an initiative to confront and fight terror and work to its liquidation since early time. It also announced willingness for cooperation within the framework of the inter- national efforts to fight terrorism along with brotherly and friendly countries. On top of these countries was the United States of America which was subjected to the violent terrorist “strikes on the two cities of New York and Washington. Moreover, His Excellency the President of the Republic took the initiative to visit Washington and meet with President George W. Bush. The President gave a correct picture of the security situation in Yemen, the efforts undertaken by the Yemeni government to fight terror and clarified the existing cooperation between the Yemeni and U. S security apparatus. On the cooperation to fight terrorism, the President reiterated that Yemen is dealing with the international community and the Unit- ed States of America in particular, as a partner, and that Yemen was one of the first countries which was badly affected by terrorism and it is concerned to fight and eliminate it because it is threatening its security and stability and harming its interests and relationships, as well as the living standards of its citizens.
Then, His Excellency the President left Washington and headed to Berlin and Paris and reiterated the same position. He also requested international support for Yemen’s efforts to fight terrorism and achieve a comprehensive development. With these diplomatic moves and the declared Yemeni position towards terrorism, the Republic of Yemen has moved from the list of targeted countries to the list of partners. The country also protected its security, sovereignty and citizens. Dealing with the terrorism issue has continued in the spirit of determination to protect the homeland's supreme interests and commitment to the international legitimate resolutions which are obligatory to implement by all member states.
The success of Yemen's diplomatic efforts was further consolidated by the internal situation, which rejected and condemned terrorism and the compliance with the constitution and effective legislations that covered public rights and duties. These rights and duties all together constitute one of the outstanding grounds and foundations of our political and democratic system since the establishment of the Republic of Yemen on 22nd May 1990. Therefore, we are proud of the accomplishments and public strides Yemen has achieved in this field during the past years. Hundreds of intellectual and cultural platforms, political parties and organizations, popular organizations and other civil society institutions have established throughout the country. We are also proud of the freedom of the press, freedom of expression, widening the popular participation circle in all walks of life and the other accomplishments, which have truly become an outstanding landmark of the modem development of the new Yemeni life.
It goes without saying that our constitution and legal system is based on our Islamic Sharia which calls for renouncing violence, extremism and terrorism in all events and relationships. |
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Commitment Of Constitution And Islamic Sharia Values: While, we are proud of the serious and tangible strides achieved by Yemen on the human rights and public freedom levels, we also stress that the first steps, which have been achieved so far to eliminate and uproot sources of terrorism and its elements, being such a big threat to our national gains and the homeland's security and safety and having such great influence on the citizens' job opportunities, were and will always be controlled by the constitution, laws and values of the Islamic Sharia and international conventions.
Thus, one should stress on the importance of the legal, constitutional and Sharia articles, which impose upon the state to work forcibly to eradicate sabotage, terrorism and instability in all forms. Therefore, the government and its concerned bodies are determined to continue carrying out their duties complying with the constitutional and legal legitimacy. It also stresses on the necessity that every one should adhere and comply with the constitution and the enforced laws. |
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Refuting Misleading Debates: It was a great surprise that some elements created such a big sensationalist uproar over the killing of Abu Ali Al-Harithi and his group who, as we know, were responsible for committing several criminal and sabotage acts over the past few years, and were about to implement a new terrorist plan against this country and the security and stability of its citizens. Since that date, they have been pursuing a misleading information discourse on the incident and its circumstances. They speak about what they term the relinquishment of national sovereignty and sometimes about the violation of the constitution and the laws, and yet at other time about the assassination of citizens. This they have done in a non- objective manner, which we can refute and re- ply to as follows:
First: the preservation of national sovereignty, the building of the homeland and confronting any encroachment or attack on its sovereignty do not allow outbidding, supposition or denial. His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh has incessantly worked to lead this country and pilot its ship to a safety shore in the most sordid circumstances and occasions. At the time when these same elements, which are bemoaning national sovereignty today, were wagering on hostile foreign forces at the expense of the country's sovereignty, unity and stability.
Second: the State has exhausted all means, calls and measures to convince the outlawed terrorist groups, including Abu Ali and his companions, to surrender themselves and face a fair trial. But, they refused and continued their terrorist acts. This prompted the government to start its hunt for them, especially after receiving reliable reports about their intention to carry out new sabotage attacks on oil, economic and strategic facilities. Hence, the security bodies had to move in order to foil these new developments by the aforesaid terrorist group, which actually posed a direct threat to the lives and safety of the citizens. It was in implementation of the duties of the security forces, as stipulated in law No 15 of the year 2000 regarding police authority, and the Prime Minister's decree No 35 of the year 2002 executing that law.
Third: The republic of Yemen is a member of the International community and part of the international world system. Like other member states of the United Nations, the Republic of Yemen is committed to respect and implement the recommendations and resolutions issued by the world organization and all its agencies. The 11th of September terrorist attacks on Washington and New York has created a new reality in international relations, making the issue of terrorism a top priority issue in the agenda of the international community that must be confront - ed as a serious world phenomenon threatening all states and peoples. This also led to the adoption of resolution No 1371 by the Security Council on 28th September 2001, urging all states to cooperate, in stopping and liquidating all terrorist acts against them. It also urges them to cooperate further in the full implementation of the international agreements on terrorism. Under clause 3, paragraph C of this resolution, the council calls upon all states to “cooperate “especially through multilateral arrangements and agreements in order to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks and take measures against the perpetrators of such acts. Like other Arab states, Yemen is determined to implement the resolutions and agreements, which Arab governments have approved in the field of fighting terrorism. These resolutions and agreements are:
-Resolution No 257 incorporated in the code of the member states of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council, which was approved by the Council in Tunis in 1996.
The Arab strategy on combating terrorism approved in Tunis 1997.
The Arab Anti-Terrorism Agreement issued by the Arab Interior and Justice Ministers Councils in Cairo in Apri11998.
Therefore, the Yemeni security authorities, action in pursuing terrorist elements is one of the duties toward the achievement of Yemen's obligations and pledges on combating terrorism in accordance with article 6 of the constitution. This article affirms government commitment to implement the United Nations Charter and rules of international law.
Fourth: the pursuit of the terrorist groups took place within the cooperation and coordination between the Yemeni government and the U. S government. It is understood that there is nothing in the constitution or the law that prevents the government from coordinating and cooperating with other states in the different fields, including the security field.
In view of its circumstances and limited re- sources, Yemen is in need to benefit from other states' capabilities and expertise. Moreover, the cooperation between the military and security organs in Yemen and their American counterparts in the field of combating terrorism comes in implementation of the resolutions of the international legitimacy and does not contradict with the principles of sovereignty. This is because the government’s concerned authorities have permitted such cooperation on the basis of the demands for protecting the supreme national interests and avert the country serious results and consequences.
There is no doubt, the statement that was made by the interior minister on 19th November 2002 explained the facts to those who like to bemoan national sovereignty. The pursuit of Al-Harithi and his companions was within an international obligation to implement the Security Council resolution No 1373 of the year 2001. It is also within the framework of the security cooperation and coordination between the government of the republic of Yemen and the government of the United States on combating terrorism that we used the United States' developed capabilities in tracing Al-Harithi and his companions through the use of sophisticated technical means until his position was identified. Then in accordance with a Yemeni decision the car carrying AI-Harithi and his companions was destroyed in Al-Naqaah area in the Marib province.
Therefore, it is not permissible under any circumstances to interpret this cooperation and coordination with the US side as having gone beyond benefiting from their capabilities and expertise in controlling and ending the operation and foiling the sabotage group's plan. This is a legitimate matter and does not entail any encroachment on or sacrificing of the national sovereignty. This also refutes the claim about the violation of sovereignty and the charge that the Yemeni government has relinquished this sovereignty, as well as all other baseless pre- texts, claims and fabrications.
Fifth: In addition to those who bemoan national sovereignty, there are also others who be- moan the law. They blame the security authorities for the way they handled the case of the outlaws, although it Was in accordance with the rules and powers given to police authority law and its execution bill.
The aforementioned elements were being chased by the security authorities for more than 10 months. Their behavior during that period was that of rebellion and resistance. In fact, the security forces clashed with them several times, including the Marib incident in which 19 officer and soldiers were killed and 28 others were wounded. This incident required the policemen to deal with these elements with caution, alertness and firmness.
It is important here to emphasize the practical side, which is the competent achievement of the authorities in carrying out their tasks in combating crime in general, and terrorism in particular. These authorities are duty bound to chase the fugitives and arrest them prior to referring them to justice for trial and facing the court sentences issued against them, or aborting their criminal plans against the homeland, the society, and the citizens.
Therefore, the outcome expected from chasing fugitives is either their voluntary surrender or forceful arrest. But, if that is not possible and they continued fleeing justice and resisting the government, that is considered a crime to be added to the crimes for which they are being prosecuted. If the security men happen to wound or kill fugitives, then that outcome, de- pending on the nature and seriousness of the crime for which they are being prosecuted is something to be expected. . It is a legitimate act under the rules of the law. It is also justifiable under the well known rules of Islamic jurisprudence, such as the rule that provides for averting a bigger evil by a lesser evil. The concern for preserving the supreme national interests of the country, insuring the safety of society and protecting it from all dangers and woes, and depriving those insinuating elements of any opportunity to harm Yemen and its people had promoted us to face matters the way mentioned earlier. |
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Overcome Narrow-Partisan Views: Let me emphasize that the issue is very dangerous. We must as executive and legislative institutions, parties, popular organizations, un- ions, political and social forces, religious scholars, merchants, and intellectuals assume our national and historical responsibilities in this important juncture. We must encounter the plots, challenges and dangers, Yemen is facing, as their negative effects will not be confined to the present conditions and circumstances, but ex- tend to affect the coming generations and the future of our entire homeland.
In order to achieve this goal we must consolidate efforts, overcome the narrow-minded viewpoints held by the parties, and rise to the level of the supreme interests of the people and the homeland.
We must pool efforts, unify resources, and lay down strategies, plans and programs in the economic, development, political, military, security, social, information, and cultural fields and allocate the necessary funds to bring them into effect. The matter also calls in particular on members of the esteemed Parliament to back government steps in facing these challenges. Some of these measures are the following:
-Approving the draft law organizing the pos- session of weapons and the draft law on money laundering, ratifying international agreements on combating terrorism on a world level, and cooperating with any new draft laws or amendments to existing laws, which the government might submit to achieve the supreme national interests.
-For its part, the government will work in the different security and judicial fields in order to take practical and effective steps against the manifestation, possessing or trading in weapons. It will also take steps against suspects by referring them to court and executing any sentences issued against them as quickly as possible. In addition to that, the government will take further precautionary security measures on land, air, and sea and develop our intelligence technologies and capablilities.
-On the political and cultural level, the government will revise its information, cultural, and religious policy and discourse to cover the I press, the information forums and religious guidance.
-The government will also emphasize the role of mamas, the Mufti's Office, the educational and social organizations and the civil society or- ganizations in all provinces and that they must play their role in developing the culture of tolerance. It will ban political and religious speeches that are of a provocative nature and arousing hostility to others or fostering inhumane feelings between peoples and nations. It will also stop any reports or speeches that harm brotherly or friendly states or their leaders and political figures, or could have a negative effect on the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation between Yemen and its brotherly and friendly states.
-On the social level, the issue of national unity and social comprehensive peace will always be our aspired goal, it is also the goal demanded from the society and its political, social, and cultural systems as well as from all constitutional, national and civil institutions. The government and other official and national institutions will work closely together to deal with the issue of tribal feuds, achieve final social reconciliation, encourage social equality and pro- mote it among all social levels. It will also support the efforts that are being made by social dignitaries and political elites to stabilize relations between people and instill in their behavior and activities the solid foundations and principles of national unity and the bases of social peace. The government will also not hesitate to seek punishment for those provocative acts, which contradict the people's nature and love for security and stability and desire for lasting social peace.
-On the regional and international coordination level, the phenomenon of terrorism, with its worldwide repercussions, has made it incumbent on Yemen to join the international coalition against this inhumane phenomenon.
It has been proved that cooperation between governments stems essentially from merely national motives. Therefore, the government will seek to achieve the following :
-Increase its cooperation with all states and widen the scope of security, military and information cooperation.
-Place the major power states before their responsibilities in order to assume part of the costs, which the government is assuming in fighting terrorism.
-Establish a protective regional security system.
-Establish alliances with common economic, commercial and security benefits.
Now that we have presented our full report on this regrettable phenomenon and its repercussions, as well as the steps that we have taken so far to eliminate it, we affirm that the remedy must be comprehensive, including economic, educational, cultural and social fields plus the remedy on the security level. There is no doubt that youths who are used to implement terrorist operations are at an age when they are incapable of doing the right thing. Perhaps some of them do not understand what they are doing. They are victims in the real sense of the word to those criminal leaders, who capitalize on people's souls and bodies. They exploit their poor knowledge of the Islamic Sharia and they bluntly ignore rules of the Almighty God by is- suing misleading political fatwas (dictums), which stem from worldly devilish whims which aim at misguiding the youths and induce them to spill the blood and kill innocent people. Poor economic conditions and their effect on life provide the fertile ground to attract these youths who suffer from unemployment, poverty and lack of education. The government is deter- mined to tackle this aspect through several economic programs. |
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Comprehensive Mobilization To Counter Terrorism: Confronting these terrorist acts and others that we might face in the future calls for mobilizing the entire society to face this phenomenon, in order to dry-up the sources of extremism and the indoctrination of youths with concepts that have nothing to do with Islam. These require the activation of the following :
1. Conducting more dialogues and awareness with misled youths through learned Ulamas, who are fully aware of their responsibility and missions to enlighten these youths about their religious and worldly affairs and guide them to the right path.
2. The role of schools, institutes and universities to combat this phenomenon through their religious curricula.
3. The role of mosques' preachers to combat this phenomenon by rectifying the wrong concepts held by this group of youths and spreading correct and tolerant Islamic concepts.
4. The role of the media to educate society and help it confront and eliminate terrorism.
5. Assigning a role for the political parties and the national forces to combat terrorism.
6. Renouncing and confronting violence in a clear. and. open manner by political parties and, organizations.
7. Clear commitment to hand over any of the elements wanted by justice. It must be emphasized that anyone who harbors or protect those elements is declaring war against the interests of his homeland. Such acts will put the government in a position whereby it is forced to expose those who encourage terrorism or harbor terrorists in case they overdo such activities. The government will also take necessary measures against them according to the effective laws. |
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Poor Educational Curricula: The poor level of educational curricula and teaching is also one reason why it is so easy to mislead these youths, who, unfortunately, do not find anyone to satisfy their need for religious knowledge in accordance to the moderate vision brought by Islam. This is the responsibility of Ulamas, who must fear in God in their duty towards the generations. It is also the government's responsibility to develop the curricula in some educational institutions to achieve the goal of raising a generation armed with knowledge, a generation that understands its religion in a positive manner and that is a constructive to the building-up of the society rather than subverting it. Besides, it is essential to encourage the current approaches to hold a constructive dialogue between the learned Ulamas and the misled groups. The Ulamas will use Sharia arguments and proofs to explain religious intentions and priorities to become aware of their connotations under the Islamic jurisprudence so as to correct any misconceptions that are held by these groups due to incomplete citation of Quranic verses and Hadiths. Such work is necessary to prevent confusion in the youths' minds. It is indeed these things that have caused these youth to show a negative attitude to ward or reject the democratic process or in capable of comprehending the meaning and importance of international relations today or learning something about the state and its institutions.
The terror and violence practiced by these groups is not founded on any real or strong basis, but on their inability to face any true argument. We in the government do not seek to tackle the matter by merely security measures, but seek to tackle it through a wider perspective that calls for developing a sense of responsibility toward the homeland and its people.
These youths and those groups have harmed Yemen and themselves and have not gained anything in return. Their hostile acts against the US and Western targets, which have been taking place in the Arab Islamic region since the middle of the 1990s have forced many Arab and Islamic states to open the doors of security cooperation with the United States and Western countries. In other words, these,groups, which claim to fight the United States and want to evict it from the region, are directly,responsible through their terrorist crimes for increasing US influence in the region. This prompts us to ask these misled groups: who is really serving US and Western interests in the region ? When they killed the tourists and attacked the French oil tanker they did not only harm the country and its reputation, but also the Yemeni citizens, who work in the fields of tourism, fishery, in- vestment and shipping. What kind of Sharia knowledge is this that causes harm, spreads corruption, destroys a homeland, harm citizens, cuts off their living sources and deprive them of a stable life ?
Let us declare it a clear all-out war against terrorism. All the society's forces, organizations, factions and classes must stand strongly and solidly behind the government in this fight be- cause it is a battle of the forces of goodness against the forces of evil. It is the battle of the homeland's destiny and future and the coming generations.
Almighty God says in His Holy Book “when it is said to them make not mischief on the earth, they said, why, we only want to make reforms, they are the ones who make mischief but they realize it not ".
Sufficient unto us is God who says “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence: for Thou art the Grantor of bounties ".
We pray to God to grant us all success in our work for the wellbeing and goodness of this homeland.
May Peace and Blessings of God Be Upon You.
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A Brief Summary Of The Yemeni Ulamas Statement On The Terrorism Phenomenon: In The Yemeni Ulamas Society has issued a statement at the end of a plenary meeting headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council and Chairman of the Society Qadi Mohammed Esmail AI-Haji.
The Ulamas have strongly condemned the terrorism phenomenon and the terrorist operations. They affirmed that the terrorists acts contradict the Islamic religion and Sharia.
The Ulamas strongly condemn the Killing of the Assistant Secretary General of the Yemeni Socialist Party Jarrallah Omar and the American doctors in Ibb.
They called on the extremist and misled elements to announce regret and repent on what they did and to go back to the right path.
The Ulamas have called on all universities professors and teachers and mosques preachers to carry out their duties in bringing awareness to the people with regards to the correct ideas and concepts.
They affirmed that the best way to argue is through beautiful argument and wisdom, pointing out that any kind of Jehad is not allowed except in the face of a fighting enemy.
The Yemeni Ulamas who gave illustrations throughout their statement from the Holy Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet Mohamed, recommended the unification of the educational curricula with the aim of deepening love and understanding among the different circles of the society. |
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