12/07 SANAA EAC REVIEWS RECENT THREAT INFORMATION

S E C R E T SANAA 001960

NOFORN
SIPDIS

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: 12/07/2018
TAGS: AEMR ASEC PTER YM
SUBJECT: 12/07 SANAA EAC REVIEWS RECENT THREAT INFORMATION

REF: TD 314/088450-08

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche, reason 1.4 (g)


1. SUMMARY: (S/NF) On 12/07/08 the Sanaa EAC met to discuss
new threat information received by the Embassy. The EAC
reviewed current security policies in place and discussed
additional security measures needed. END SUMMARY.


2. (S/NF) On 12/07/08 the Ambassador convened the EAC to
discuss new threat information received by the Embassy. EAC
members in attendance were: AMB, DCM, RSO, POLM, DAO, OMC,
FPD, POLE, MO, AID and CONS.


3. (S/NF) The RSO informed the EAC about a threat received
via an Embassy email address. The threat contained Google
images of the US, UK, and German embassies, and the Sheraton,
Movenpick, and Hadda Best Western Hotels. The text of the
email states that attacks will continue using foot soldiers,
car bombs, and new methods (Reftel). The RSO also briefed
the EAC on information obtained by an oil-company security
official regarding a DVD that was allegedly sent by a man to
his parents in which he states that he will kill himself in a
suicide attack. Further information obtained from the
security contact indicates that the man is Mohamed Eatha
(phonetic spelling, Arabic spelling unknown),who, according
to the security contact, is a known AQY member. Per the
security contact, the Yemeni security forces are already
looking for this individual. No further information has been
obtained at this time. (Note. Post understands that its
security contact received his information from an
unidentified sub-source. End note.)


4. (S/NF) The Ambassador stated that he will try to meet with
any available senior ROYG security official (given the
impending Eid holiday) to discuss the new information and the
need for increased security at softer targets, such as the
Sheraton Hotel. (Note. The Ambassador was able to pass a
message to the Deputy Prime Minister, who followed up with
the PSO while other Embassy officials were meeting there.
End note.) GRPO passed on the threat information to the
Yemeni security services and plans to meet with senior
security leadership to emphasize Embassy security concerns.
The RSO has met with the MOI to discuss increasing security
at the Sheraton Hotel and throughout the Embassy residential
neighborhoods. The RSO stated that he has alerted the
host-nation security officials at the Embassy of the new
threat, and will also pass the information to the security
officials at the targeted hotels. The RSO will send a
security notice to all Embassy employees reminding them to be
vigilant and follow the current security policies.


5. (SBU) The EAC will revisit this issue after the Eid
holiday in preparation for upcoming VIP visits. 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