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