1. (S/NF) Summary: Ambassador convened an EAC on December
23 to discuss the change to Orange Alert and an update on
recent stabbings of Westerners in Old Sanaa (ref). EAC
agreed that while none of the threat information causing the
change to Orange Alert pointed specifically to Yemen, Embassy
personnel would maintain vigilant security practices. The
Ministry of Interior arrested a suspect in the recent
stabbings of Westerners on December 20 who has confessed to
all three stabbings. No stabbings have occurred since
December 17. Post will maintain stringent security
practices, including Embassy security-escorted visits to the
Old City until further notice. Key offices and personnel
represented at the meeting included: POL/ECON, CONS, RSO,
MO, FPD, POL/MIL, DAO, OMC, and SOC YEMEN. End Summary.



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Orange Alert


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2. (C) Ambassador briefed EAC on the reasons behind the
change to Orange or "High" Alert. He said that patterns of
intelligence and a spike in terrorist communications could
mean attacks abroad as well as in the U.S. in the coming
weeks. While listing several countries that warranted
heightened concern that did not include Yemen, he noted that
attacks could be anywhere and good security practices must be
maintained.



3. (S/NF) ORCA said that while there is nothing to indicate
a specific credible threat in Yemen, the takedown of the
terrorist cell by ROYG authorities in September shows that
terrorist motivation remains to conduct operations in Yemen.
He said that while recent captures of wanted terrorists
significantly dented their ability to fund terrorist actions
and move weapons, anything could still happen and vigilance
should be continued.



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Alleged Perpetrator of Stabbings in Custody


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4. (C) A/RSO briefed EAC on the recent stabbings in Sanaa
(reftel). He said that the Ministry of Interior arrested one
Yemeni male on December 20, who confessed to all three
stabbings. The MOI is continuing to investigate to ascertain
whether others were involved in the incidents. A/RSO noted
no stabbings have occurred since December 17.



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Post to Maintain Security Posture Despite Arrest


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5. (C) EAC members decided to maintain the increased
security procedures on travel to the Old City for the time
being, despite the arrest of a stabbing suspect, noting that
prudence dictates being careful until Post can be more
certain the threat is eliminated. RSO has arranged
security-escorted visits for Embassy personnel and their
families to include two plain-clothed RSO Surveillance
Detection (SD) officers to provide surveillance and early
detection of possible threats. MOI informed A/RSO that their
significantly increased police presence in the Old City would
be able to respond quickly to any incident.
HULL