Yemen stepped up security around government buildings and
foreign interests yesterday a day after a suspected Al-Qaida
suicide bomber killed seven Spanish tourists and two Yemenis at a
tourist site.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose country joined the US-led
war against terrorism after the September 11 attacks, said Yemen
had received warnings last week of an impending attack but did not
know where or when the militants would strike.
He offered a US$75,500 reward for information leading to the
capture of militants linked to the attack at the Queen of Sheba
Temple in the volatile eastern province of Marib.
"The security apparatus had information about four days ago but
did not know exactly when or where this operation would be carried
out," Saleh told a news conference.
"Security measures were taken around sensitive sites such as oil
installations but we did not think of this temple."
Security sources said Al-Qaida issued a statement last week
demanding the release of some of its members jailed in Yemen, which
has been battling Islamist militants for years, and threatening to
take unspecified action.
The fortified US Embassy in Sanaa cancelled all travel outside
the capital and warned its citizens against travel to Marib, urging
them to be vigilant throughout the country.
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Yemen, viewed in the West as a haven for Islamist militants
including Al-Qaida, has seen several spectacular bombings.
Witnesses in Marib said body parts were strewn around the
charred vehicles used by the Spaniards. One resident said the blast
was strong and heard for kilometers around.
DNA tests were being carried out on the remains of the suicide
bomber to try to ascertain his identity, Saleh said, adding that
evidence so far indicated he was a non-Yemeni Arab.
Spain was sending two planes to Yemen to pick up the remains of
the three men and four women killed in the attack and to take five
wounded survivors home, Yemeni and Spanish officials said. Spanish
Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Bernardino Leon was
also due in Yemen, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said.
Meanwhile, Spain's travel agencies have cancelled their upcoming
package tours to Yemen.
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Each year some 400 to 450 Spanish tourists travel to Yemen,
typically touring the nation in four-by-four vehicles.
Yemen foiled two suicide attacks on oil and gas installations in
2006, days after Al-Qaida urged Muslims to target Western
interests.
(China Daily via agencies July 4, 2007)
