Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SANAA979
2008-06-02 13:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
YEMEN PIPELINE ATTACK
how-toR 021355Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY SANAA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9729 INFO JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000979
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2018
TAGS: EIND ENRG EPET PINS PTER YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN PIPELINE ATTACK
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Pipeline Target Practice
------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000979
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2018
TAGS: EIND ENRG EPET PINS PTER YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN PIPELINE ATTACK
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Pipeline Target Practice
--------------
1. (C) On June 1 the Yemeni Soldiers' Brigade (a group
associated with Al-Qaida which claimed responsibility for the
attack on the embassy in March) claimed responsibility for
what it called a "mortar attack" on the oil pipeline near a
state-run refinery in Aden on May 30. Media reporting varies
as to the number and type of explosions, as does information
from Embassy contacts. CPT Najib Kelfah, an officer with the
Directorate of Military Intelligence, told PolOff on May 31
that the assailants fired two RPG rounds from an estimated
distance of 1000 meters. Kelfah mentioned that the maximum
effective range for an RPG is 500 meters, so the assailants
apparently are not well trained. Post has heard from
different sources that the attack was variously, an RPG, a
mortar, an IED in a dumpster, and even, at one point, an
exploding electrical transformer.
2. (C) On June 2 Majlis ash-shoura speaker Abdul Aziz Abdul
Ghani told the DCM that ROYG officials had arrested a number
of AQ operatives in Aden in conjunction with teh attack, but
was unable to provide additional details.
Comment
--------------
3. (U) While Post has no way of confirming that the attack
was committed by the Yemeni Soldier's Brigade, similarities
to previous attacks, including inaccurate targeting, three
rounds expended and the way responsibility was claimed, would
support the organization's claim. Oil facilities have long
been a target of AQ.
SECHE
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2018
TAGS: EIND ENRG EPET PINS PTER YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN PIPELINE ATTACK
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Pipeline Target Practice
--------------
1. (C) On June 1 the Yemeni Soldiers' Brigade (a group
associated with Al-Qaida which claimed responsibility for the
attack on the embassy in March) claimed responsibility for
what it called a "mortar attack" on the oil pipeline near a
state-run refinery in Aden on May 30. Media reporting varies
as to the number and type of explosions, as does information
from Embassy contacts. CPT Najib Kelfah, an officer with the
Directorate of Military Intelligence, told PolOff on May 31
that the assailants fired two RPG rounds from an estimated
distance of 1000 meters. Kelfah mentioned that the maximum
effective range for an RPG is 500 meters, so the assailants
apparently are not well trained. Post has heard from
different sources that the attack was variously, an RPG, a
mortar, an IED in a dumpster, and even, at one point, an
exploding electrical transformer.
2. (C) On June 2 Majlis ash-shoura speaker Abdul Aziz Abdul
Ghani told the DCM that ROYG officials had arrested a number
of AQ operatives in Aden in conjunction with teh attack, but
was unable to provide additional details.
Comment
--------------
3. (U) While Post has no way of confirming that the attack
was committed by the Yemeni Soldier's Brigade, similarities
to previous attacks, including inaccurate targeting, three
rounds expended and the way responsibility was claimed, would
support the organization's claim. Oil facilities have long
been a target of AQ.
SECHE