Yemen In Conflict -- News Updates January 3, 2009

US Shuts Embassy As al-Qaeda 'Plans Attack In Yemen' -- BBC

The US has indications that al-Qaeda is planning an attack in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, President Barack Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser has said.

John Brennan was speaking after the US shut its embassy in Yemen. "We're not going to take any chances" with the lives of staff, he said.

Britain also closed its embassy, after threats from an al-Qaeda offshoot which claimed a failed bomb plot in the US.

There are mounting fears that Yemen is becoming a leading al-Qaeda haven.

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More News On Yemen

Western embassies close in Yemen after 'direct al-Qaeda threat' -- Times Online
US, British Embassies in Yemen Close Due To al-Qaida Threat -- Voice of America
US shuts Yemen embassy as part of new focus on Al Qaeda -- Christian Science Monitor
US closes its Yemen embassy after Al-Qaeda threats -- AFP
U.S. Closes Embassy in Yemen Over Qaeda Threats -- New York Times/AP
U.S., Britain Shut Embassies in Yemen After Threat -- Politics Daily

Yemen steps up Qaeda fight as top US general pledges support -- AFP
Petraeus Visits Yemen as U.S. Beefs Up Counter-Terror Op -- Wall Street Journal
Post Detroit terror plot, US General Patraeus to Yemen, meets Yemeni President -- Examiner

Houthi Says Saleh Peace Call Positive, Accepts Ceasefire Conditions -- Yemen Post
Yemeni forces clash with Shi'ite rebels, kill 11 -- Reuters
Yemen: Shiite Rebels Offer Talks to Saudis -- New York Times

Obama Links Plane Plot to Al Qaeda in Yemen -- L.A. Times
Obama Ties Airliner Plot to al-Qaeda's Yemeni Affiliate -- Washington Post
Brennan: Some Guantanamo detainees will go to Yemen -- CNN

Yemeni Groups Pose New Set of Terrorism Threats -- L.A. Times
Yemen’s Chaos Aids the Evolution of a Qaeda Cell -- New York Times
Al-Qaeda Benefits From a Decade of Missteps to Become a Threat in Yemen -- Washington Post
Yemen fertile ground to breed terrorists -- The Age

Wartime Challenges of the New Year -- Mark Bowden, Philadelphia Inquirer opinion
Yemen's Deteriorating Security, Economy Could Fuel Terrorism -- Christopher Boucek, Washington Post opinion
Scenes From the War on Terrorism in Yemen -- Ali H. Soufan, New York Times opinion
Yemen's neglected nest of terrorists -- Globe And Mail editorial