THREATS AGAINST EMBASSY SANAA AND WESTERN INTERESTS

S E C R E T SANAA 001974

NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/ICI/CR, DS/DSS/ITA, NEA/EX

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER YM
SUBJECT: THREATS AGAINST EMBASSY SANAA AND WESTERN INTERESTS

REF: A. TD-314/088450-08

B. 3/OO/521141-08

C. 3/CO/119-08

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d)


1. (S/NF) US Embassy Sana'a has received threats against the
Embassy and other Western interests in Yemen. RSO has passed
all information to GRPO for follow-up. No further
information has been received regarding these threats.


2. (S/NF) On December 5, RSO received information from a
Canadian Nexen security official stating that a young male
resident of Sana'a sent his parents a DVD in which he
announces his intention to die as a suicide bomber. The
parents reportedly passed the information to the Yemeni
authorities who, also reportedly, are now searching for the
man. On December 6, RSO received the man's name from the
oil-company contact. The man Mohamed Eatha (phonetic
translation) is, according to the oil-company contact, a
known member of AQY who was conditionally released from jail
a year ago. As part of his release he was to check in daily
with the authorities. The security contact claims that the
authorities have not heard from him since three days prior to
his family receiving the DVD. No further information has
been obtained at this time.


3. (S/NF) On December 5, the RSO received a threat via an
embassy email address (ref A). The email contained Google
images of the US, UK, and German embassies, and of the
Sheraton, Movenpick, and Hadda Best Western Hotels. Also
included was the following message, as translated by GRPO:

Begin Translation

To the infidel swine and their agents among the infidel
police, guard force, and their employees, we will slaughter
you and spill your blood throughout the streets. Allah has
cursed you wherever you go. The last operation against your
infernal building was but the beginning for us. We have
since undertaken a new study/preparation after the last
operation that seemingly failed. However, subsequent
attempts will be within your grounds/houses and that of your
agents among the infidel Central Security Forces and local
guard force. We have observed your entrance and departure to
the point where we have learned your centers and the place of
your ultimate death, God willing. They are: the Sheraton
hotel, the Movenpick hotel, and the Hilton hotel (Note.
Likely to mean the Hadda Best Western as that was one of the
Google images. End note.). We will soon begin our
preparations against you utilizing the latest car bombs and
brave fedayeen that will storm the U.S. Embassy, hotels, and
associated locations, God willing. We will be equipped with
things that you would never have expected. Know that we are
coming!, We are coming! We are coming! We are coming! We
are coming! C4, and this is our paradise and your hell, you
infidels, leave the Arabian Peninsula. There is no place for
you among us. That which you never expected, just wait, we
are coming to you. You will not have to come to us, TNT, C4,
C4, C4.

End Translation


4. (S/NF) On December 6, the Embassy operator received a
telephone call to the main Embassy line. The call was
garbled, but the operator believed the call to be a threat
largely because of the tone of the caller. A recording of
the telephone call is currently being analyzed by GRPO.


5. (S/NF) Additional information is available in ref B and C.


6. (SBU) The Embassy has taken the following security
precautions in light of the current and continued threats
against the Embassy:

- RSO requested additional host-nation security and
surveillance detection assets be deployed to the Sheraton
Hotel and to the Embassy residential areas, as well as
coverage for Movenpick and Hadda Best Western Hotels.
- The RSO issued a personal security notice to all Embassy
personnel reminding them of good security practices.
- The RSO met with the Movenpick, Sheraton, and Hadda Best
Westerns to pass on the tear line provided by GRPO.
- A Warden message will be issued to the American community
to remind them of continued threats to US and Western
interests.
- The RSO has postponed an upcoming community out-of-town
trip, and will revisit the possibility after the Eid holiday.


7. (U) The POC for this issue is ARSO Amanda Philpot.
SECHE