THEORIES PROLIFERATE REGARDING SAADA

S E C R E T SANAA 001153

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP:AMACDONALD AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019
TAGS: PTER PREL YM
SUBJECT: THEORIES PROLIFERATE REGARDING SAADA
KIDNAPPING/MURDER

REF: SANAA 1105

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

Summary
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1. (C) The German DCM shared information and his views on the
recent Sa'ada kidnapping/murder with POL/E Chief on June 20.
He, like most observers, dismisses ROYG intimations that the
crime was perpetrated by Houthi rebels. Many theories about
the perpetrators of the crime are circulating in Sana'a but
it is unlikely that responsibility will be definitively
placed any time soon. In any case, the attack will likely
have the effect of reducing Germany's official presence in
Yemen.

Bodies deceased for three days
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2. (C) POL/E Chief spoke to a dispirited German DCM Michael
Reuss on June 20 about the recent kidnapping of seven Germans
(along with one Briton and one Korean) in the northern
governorate of Sa'ada. Reuss explained that the bodies of
three of the kidnapees discovered on June 14 (refel) had been
difficult to identify because of their state of decomposition
and because they had been attacked by dogs and carrion birds
between the time of death and the time of discovery. He
verified that all three had been killed by gunshot wounds to
the head and that each had been shot multiple times. He
said that, with the exception of some tearing caused by
animals, the three women's clothing was intact and that there
were no signs of torture. He added that, according to a
forensic specialist who viewed the bodies, they had been dead
for approximately three days when they were discovered,
indicating that they were killed on the day they were
kidnapped. While the fact that the remaining bodies have not
been found points to the possibility that they may still be
alive, Reuss holds out little hope.

Rejection of Houthi Culpability
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3. (C) Reuss dismissed out-of-hand ROYG attempts to blame
Houthi rebels for the kidnapping, saying that, in his
opinion, the action neither fits their mode of operation nor
would make any sense in terms of achieving their goals. His
opinion is mirrored by most observers in Sana'a including
ROYG officials. Abdulhakim al-Eryani, Director of the
Foreign Minister's Office, told POL/E Chief on June 22 that
he thought it much more likely that some new (perhaps
Salafist) group had committed the crime because the
kidnappees were believed to be involved in proselytizing.
Reuss confirmed to POL/E Chief that diaries and other items
found among the possessions of the deceased strongly
indicated that they were involved in evangelistic outreach
that went beyond simply doing good works.


4. (S) Reuss believes that Northwest Regional Military
Commander Ali Muhsen al-Ahmar is a likely suspect for
involvement in the attack. Reuss opined that the
kidnapping/murder had achieved three visible results:
stirring up anti-Houthi sentiment, discomfiting President
Saleh, and acting as an implicit threat to Christian
evangelists. Reuss asserted that each of these results
benefit Ahmar in the following ways. Ahmar is generally
believed to have profited handsomely from previous fighting
in Sa'ada and stands to profit again should fighting with the
Houthis recommence in earnest. Ahmar has been increasingly
marginalized in recent years as the President has handed more
and more military power to members of his immediate family.
Discrediting Saleh in front of Yemen's largest donor
(Germany) would serve the dual purpose of weakening Saleh's
power base and allowing Ahmar a certain amount of revenge.
Finally, striking a blow against evangelical Christian would
likely appeal to Ahmar's Salafist tendencies. (Comment:
While Reuss makes a reasonable case to support his theory,
post has no information associating Ahmar with the case. End
Comment.)

German Presence
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5. (C) Reuss told POL/E Chief that the attack would lead to
a drawing down of the official German presence in Yemen.
Although he did not expect an immediate evacuation of

personnel or dependents he said he expected a steady
attrition as positions are left unfilled when their current
occupants depart, resulting finally in a much smaller German
presence limited primarily of the cities of Sana'a, Aden and
Taiz. (Note: There are currently a large number of official
Germans working throughout Yemen supporting Germany's
substantial development effort here. End Note.)

Comment
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6. (C) While the ROYG continues to try and blame al-Houthi
rebels for the kidnapping and murder, none of the Embassy's
contacts subscribe to that theory. Until some individual or
group takes responsibility for the crime, or until the
remaining victims are found (dead or alive),theories will
continue to proliferate. End Comment.
SECHE