SANAA -- A senior Yemeni official warned on Tuesday of acts of sabotage that could be jointly launched by Al-Qaeda Organization in the Arabian Peninsula and the local militant group of Al-Hawthis. The terrorist acts of Al-Qaeda organization mainly target countries that lack security and stability such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Affairs Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi told reporters here.
"The organization could join hands with Al-Hawthis in wreaking havoc on Yemen and use the country as a launch pad for their terrorist acts regionally and internationally," he warned. Al-Alimi made the remarks after Al-Qaeda leader Abu Basir Nasser Al-Wahayshi approved in an audio tape on Wednesday the militant activities in southern part of the Arabian Peninsula in a clear reference to Yemen.
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http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1999542&Language=en
Khamenei alleges US terror plot
5-19-09
Tehran - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the US yesterday of promoting terrorism in border areas and using arms and money against the Islamic state. Khamenei’s verbal attack is likely to disappoint US President Barack Obama’s administration, which is seeking rapprochement with Iran after three decades of mistrust. The Pentagon said his comments were “terribly ironic” because Tehran was undermining stability in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Islamic militants behead Christian
May 18, 2009
Islamic militants have beheaded a retired Christian carpenter abducted nearly two months ago in the southern Philippines. The 61-year-old was kidnapped April 21 on the island of Basilan by a kidnap gang believed allied with the Abu Sayyaf group, a small group of self-styled Islamic militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks in recent years.
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http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-world/islamic-militants-behead-christian-20090518-b81k.html
Britain is vulnerable to terrorist attack from the sea because no single body is responsible for protecting the UK's coast, MPs have warned. Just nine Royal Navy ships along with a "motley collection" of police and coastguard boats guard a shoreline more than 7,000 miles long.
The Commons defence committee suggests developing a "deterrent capability" to ward off sea-borne attacks. The Ministry of Defence has insisted clear procedures are in place. Concerns over the UK's preparations for dealing with a maritime terrorist threat were raised by the committee.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8054491.stm
Pakistan troops fight Taleban on streets
May 20, 2009
PESHAWAR: Pakistan's military said yesterday troops were locked in fierce street battles with Taleban fighters in the northwest, where a rights group accused both sides of killing civilians. Military officials said government forces were advancing on several fronts towards Mingora, the Taliban-held main town in the Swat valley-once a scenic tourist hotspot but ripped apart by a two-year battle to enforce sharia law.
The blistering offensive against Islamist militants, who are said to threaten the sovereignty of the nuclear-armed nation, has concentrated increasingly on the valley in what the government calls a mission to "eliminate" militants. "We had to launch a military operation because these people challenged the writ of the government. They declared democracy, parliament, the constitution and judiciary as un-Islamic," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
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http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NDQwMTA4NDQ0