DHAMAR MOSQUE ATTACK NOT ANTI-WESTERN TERRORISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000545 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2014 TAGS: PTER PREL YM SUBJECT: DHAMAR MOSQUE ATTACK NOT ANTI-WESTERN TERRORISM REF: FBIS 060914Z MAR 04 Classified By: DCM Alan G. Misenheimer for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Post confirmed with Ministry of Interior (MOI) that the mosque attack in Dhamar 3/5 has no/no relation to anti-Western or other terrorism. As reported in local and international press (ref),Abdallah Ahmed Yahia Zeid Ghassan killed five persons and injured 30 when he attacked a Dhamar mosque with two grenades and small arms fire. He subsequently killed himself. MOI did not find any letters, literature or any personal connections that suggest the incident is related to terrorism. ¶2. (C) MOI Chief of Staff Sunidar confirmed to RSO 3/6 details of the attack. Sunidar said that "erratic writings" were found in the attacker's house and on his person, calling his community immoral and stating that he would "destroy the earth and the village" because it was evil and corrupt. Neighbors reported to MOI that the attacker was mentally unbalanced and was suffering personal problems related to a recent divorce with infidelity overtones. ¶3. (C) Sunidar related a specific incident in the attack. A woman approached the assailant on the road as he was leaving the mosque. When she asked what had happened, he reportedly said "you will die for asking" and shot her dead. ¶4. (C) Sunidar believed that the grenades and small arm weapon were likely purchased from a weapons market somewhere in Yemen. HULL