9/19 SANAA EAC DISCUSSES NEW THREAT

S E C R E T SANAA 001558 NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA/EX, NEA/ARP, SES-O, DS COMMAND CENTER, M E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2018 TAGS: AEMR ASEC PTER YM SUBJECT: 9/19 SANAA EAC DISCUSSES NEW THREAT Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche, reason 1.4 (g) ¶1. SUMMARY: (S/NF) On 09/19/08 the Sanaa EAC met for the second time since the 09/17/08 terrorist attack on the Embassy. The EAC discussed how best to respond to a new non-specific threat from Islamic Jihad in Yemen. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S/NF) On 09/19/08 the Ambassador convened the EAC to discuss what had occurred in the 24 hours since the 9/17/08 terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy. EAC members in attendance were: AMB, DCM, RSO, POLM, DAO, OMC, FPD, POLE, IPC, and CONS. The head of the FEST team also attended. ¶3. (S/NF) The RSO briefed the EAC on a new threat that was issued by Islamic Jihad in Yemen (IJY). In the threat, issued in a local newspaper, IJY stated that more attacks would occur if the ROYG did not release their detained "brothers" within 48 hours. The EAC agreed that another attack against the Embassy was highly unlikely due to the increased security put in place in the wake of Wednesday's attack. The RSO brought up the possibility of an attack against the Hadda Apartment Complex, where a large number of American diplomats and Western oil company workers live. The RSO suggested using recently arrived security TDYers to help augment security at the apartment complex in addition to adding host nation forces for the next week. The EAC agreed this move would be prudent and should begin as soon as possible; the deployment to the housing compound will continue to 09/23/2008, at which time it will be re-visited. ¶4. (S/NF) The EAC went on to discuss stand-alone residences and the host nation security assets protecting them. The RSO stated that the DS Mobile Security Division (MSD) team would be touring the area and would make suggestions as to where host nation assets could be placed to be the most effective. The RSO will report these suggestions to the Ambassador to take to senior ROYG officials. The EAC also decided to allow American personnel who feel uncomfortable living alone to gather temporarily into clustered housing. The Ambassador will discuss this voluntary option at a town hall meeting on 09/20/2008. ¶5. (S/NF) The EAC will continue to monitor all available intelligence and security sources for additional information concerning threats to the Embassy, American and Western communities in Yemen. SECHE