ROYG AL-HOUTHI CELL ROUND UP REVEALS PLANS TO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001325

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: ROYG AL-HOUTHI CELL ROUND UP REVEALS PLANS TO
TARGET AMBASSADOR

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (S) Summary. On May 15 Interior Minister Rashad al-Alimi
informed Ambassador of the round up of al-Houthi cells
responsible for the recent series of deadly grenade attacks
on ROYG Military officials in Sanaa. Alimi shared alarming
information garnered from MOI and PSO investigations that one
of the cells was targeting Embassy and Ambassador and had
stored weapons including missiles in an apartment near the
Embassy compound. Alimi said he was confident that these
cells no longer constituted a threat to Ambassador or
Embassy. Alimi said these arrests revealed a dangerous
evolution of al-Houthi tactics since the insurrection broke
out last June, saying that although they have not connection
"they are learning from al-Qaida tactics and techniques."
End Summary.

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Al-Houthi Cell Round Up, Weapons Found
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2. (S) Assuring Ambassador that the safety and security of
the U.S. Embassy is a ROYG priority, Alimi pulled out four
pages of hand-written notes and began to brief. The Minister
announced that 21 individuals had been arrested as a result
of Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Political Security
Organization (PSO) investigations into the recent series of
grenade attacks against ROYG officials in Sanaa. (Note:
Local press reported that 21 al-Houthi supporters were
arrested for a perpetrating grenade attacks against Yemeni
military officials and vehicles. End Note.) Of the 21
arrested, 11 remain in ROYG custody.


3. (S) Alimi stated his certainty that the evidence gathered
by MOI and PSO during searches and interrogations was more
than sufficient to prosecute and convict the 11 cell members.
He reported that during the round up 26 persons were injured
and two killed, including one security officer. Explosives
and weapons, including 10 missiles (NFI) were found in cell
locations, along with documents clearly implicated the
members. Alimi promised to share all these documents as well
as the names and information gathered about these individuals
with the USG.


4. (S) Alimi said that the al-Houthi supporters have
dramatically changed tactics since the insurrection broke out
last June and are "learning from al-Qaida." As evidence he
pointed to the use of women to transport weapons and of the
'cell structure' to maintain their security. Ambassador
sought clarification as to whether or not the cells had any
connection at all to AQ and Alimi said there was not any
information to suggest such a connection.

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Cell Targeting Embassy, Ambassador
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5. (S) Alimi told Ambassador "the most dangerous cell" had
been using a rented apartment in close proximity to the
Embassy, and that weapons (including anti-tank weapons) and
explosives (TNT) were found at this site. A target list was
also recovered that included the Ambassador, the Embassy
compound, President Saleh, and Ministry of Defense officials.
Alimi said he did not believe this cell or others currently
constituted a treat to USG personnel or the Embassy, as most
of the members had been captured or were on the run and
unable to go operational.


6. (S) Alimi reported that PSO and MOI arrests and
interrogations revealed that the Ambassador had been
surveilled during his March 31 trip to Dhamar and his April
31 visit to Maarib. According to Alimi, the men who
conducted this surveillance had been captured. (Note: Alimi
provided the following names: Saber Johaf, al-Jahaf, Ehab
al-Kochani, Hussein al-Zakaf, Ahmed Zalafi, and added that
many others are also in ROYG detention. End Note.)

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Several Remain at Large
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7. (S) MOI believes several cells members are still at large,
Alimi told Ambassador, but assured that MOI and PSO are
following every lead. The Minister said he believed those
still on the loose received orders from Sadaa to return
following the round up, but had been unable to do so for fear
of capture. Their pictures and/or descriptions have been
disseminated to police and security checkpoints throughout
Yemen. Ambassador told Alimi that the USG stood ready to
help in this effort it any way it can.

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Female Cell Member Cooperating
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8. (S) One cell member arrested is a woman, Intasar Sayyani,
who is married to a second member, Ahab Kalani. Alimi said
Sayyani confessed and is cooperating with security officials.
She has explained the goals of the cell, its operational
plans, and she led authorities to the stored weapons.
According to Sayyani, the cell had been actively seeking a
residence near the Embassy with a "high location" that
afforded an unobstructed view. Alimi said that the leader of
this "most dangerous cell" has also confessed, and that the
ROYG has documents in his handwriting that implicate the cell
in targeting Ambassador, the Embassy, President Saleh, and
other ROYG military officials.

9. (S) Ambassador called an EAC May 16 to discuss this
information and possible reaction (reported septel).
Krajeski