ROYG REQUESTS U.S. INTEL ASSISTANCE IN FIGHT

S E C R E T SANAA 001962

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2014
TAGS: PINR PGOV PTER MCAP YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: ROYG REQUESTS U.S. INTEL ASSISTANCE IN FIGHT
AGAINST AL-HOUTHI

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Nabeel Khoury; reasons 1.5 (b),(d).


1. (S) Summary. Yemeni Minister of Defense and his
Intelligence Chief made a surprise appearance at Charge's
August 11 meeting with Foreign Minister al-Qirby to request
U.S. intelligence assistance in the ROYG's continuing
struggle against the forces of Shi'ite extremist leader
al-Houthi in north Yemen. Despite the need for assistance,
the Minister of Defense maintained that the conflict would be
solved positively in a matter of days. End Summary.

Defense Minister's Surprise appearance at MFA
--------------


2. (S) Charge was summoned on August 11 by Foreign Minister
Abubakr Abdullah al-Qirby and Minister of Interior Rashad
Mohammed al-Alimi to discuss "bilateral issues." Upon
arrival at the MFA, the FM informed Charge that al-Alimi had
a pressing engagement and presented, instead, Minister of
Defense Abdullah Ali Alaiwa and his Intelligence Chief
Siyanni.


3. (S) Al-Qirby stressed the importance of U.S.- Yemeni
cooperation in the combating of terrorism, and launched into
a request for specific U.S intelligence information to aid
the ROYG in the on-going and increasingly bloody conflict
between ROYG forces and the supporters of al-Houthi in the
northern Sa'da region. The FM quickly added, however, that
the situation in general is "under control."


4. (S) Defense Minister Alaiwa continued that the ROYG
needed specific U.S. intelligence assistance to locate
elements of al-Houthi supporters in "other areas" of the
country by eavesdropping on their wireless and hand-held
radio communications. He said that Yemen did not have the
technical capability to listen to these communications, but
could provide specific "numbers" and "frequencies" for the
U.S. to target. When pressed by DATT, Alaiwa could not offer
further information as to the type of wireless or radios.


5. (S) Charge responded that the USG would like to assist
if it can, but that several issues would first have to be
addressed, including, whether we had the capability, if it
was currently available in the region, and whether it would
be possible to share such information. Charge and DATT
promised to pass the request through the appropriate
channels.

Al-Houthi "Surrounded on Three Sides"
--------------


6. (C) Charge asked Defense Minister Alaiwa for an update
of the situation in Sa'da. Alaiwa reported that his forces
now controlled approximately ninety-eight percent of the area
where the fighting has been taking place, except for portions
of Jabal Salman (north-western portion of the area of
engagement). Charge asked if it was true that the Army has
al-Houthi surrounded, as reported in the press. "He is
surrounded on three sides," responded Alaiwa insisting that
he was certain that al-Houthi had not escaped from the Jabal
Salman area, and added that the two sides continue to
exchange small arms fire, separated by 200 to 300 meters of
rugged and difficult terrain. Al-Alaiwa said al-Houthi had
200 to 300 fighters left. When the Charge expressed surprise
at the small number, Intelligence Chief Siyanni shook his
head and interrupted "no, more than that."


7. (C) Comment: On the margins, the Defense Minister told
Charge that if the requested intelligence information was not
provided in the next three or so days, it would be
unnecessary, as the fighting would be over. This has been a
consistent ROYG message throughout the two-month long
conflict. In our view, the fighting is not likely to end
anytime soon. This request for intelligence assistance
suggests that the ROYG is not only shaken by its inability to
defeat al-Houthi quickly, but fears the conflict may spread
to other areas of the country. End Comment.
KRAJESKI