Yemeni Report Explores Al-Qa'ida's 'New Strategy' in Southern Yemen

Resentment Toward the Media Outlets

Hand Grenades and Other Objects

I was asked: "Do you want to know what we feel?," then I was told: "Wear this sheath and carry this weapon! Now that you have worn the sheath and carried the weapon, do you have a particular feeling?" I replied: "Yes, I feel that I have become heavier," then we all laughed.

This was the dialogue I had with the media officer while we were under a tree during an air raid that they claimed to be conducted by Saudi forces.

The media officer continued to ask me questions, such as: "As a Yemeni, you are undoubtedly experienced in using weapons, right?" I answered: "Yes, I can use light weapons, ranging from Kalashnikov guns to modified weapons. Naturally, I have no knowledge about bombs."

Having said that, my companion volunteered to teach me bomb techniques, telling me: "Stay focused. The largest part of the bomb is an inactive one which includes shrapnel. It can fall from a high position without exploding, as you can see now. As for this small and finger-size piece, it is named fuse and is very sensitive. If such a piece receives a blow that is two times stronger than this one [the media official gives light taps to the device], then it will blow up."

I told myself: O my God! What if he was wrong? What if his information was inaccurate? What if anything wrong happens now? This fear raised many questions in my mind. But this did not prevent me from holding the bombs and asking my companions to document the scene by taking a picture of me.

This is how my days in Abyan Governorate were spent, amid relentless air bombardment and similar adventures. Many details could be written down about my stay there.

[Description of Source: Sanaa Al-Wasat Online in Arabic, website of independent political weekly newspaper; URL: http://www.alwasat-ye.net]

Xinhua: Yemen's Al-Qaida Controls Azzan City, Gearing up To Revenge Awlaki' S Death

CPP20111020968208 Beijing Xinhua in English 1257 GMT 20 Oct 11

[Xinhua: "Yemen's Al-Qaida Controls Azzan City, Gearing up To Revenge Awlaki' S Death"]

[Computer selected and disseminated without OSC editorial intervention]

SANAA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Yemen-based al-Qaida wing prevailed control over a city of the southeastern province of Shabwa, three weeks after U.S. unmanned drones killed U.S.-born Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, a provincial security official said Thursday.

AQAP has become a powerful force in the south and southeast of Yemen, apparently benefiting from unrest that rattling the impoverished Arab country since late January.

[Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency)]

Third on US Wanted List Interviewed on Al-Qa'ida Operations in Yemen, US Stand

GMP20110920825010 London Al-Quds al-Arabi Online in Arabic 20 Sep 11

[Interview with Fahd al-Qasa, number three on America's most-wanted list, by Abd-al-Razzaq al-Jamal in Shabwah Governorate in Yemen; date not given: "Shaykh Fahd al-Qasa, third on America's most-wanted list: 'Yemeni Tribes did not Turn Against Us; Saudi Position Vis-à-vis Revolution Shameful; Bin Ladin was a Mujahid Died a Martyr; Al-Qa'ida Part of Society's Fabric'"]

We had to travel a long way through a rough mountain route to the area chosen by Shaykh Fahd al-Qasa, the third on the American most wanted list, in order to conduct a press interview.

The reason he chose that distant location was not to keep away from the eyes of those American aircraft that started to roam all over the Yemeni airspace; on the contrary, this is the same area that American aircraft and missiles bombed in late 2009 during which many of Shaykh Fahd's comrades died, most prominent of whom was leader Muhammad Umayr al-Kalawi. A faraway area at one of the junctions of the rough Rafad Valley in the Shabwah Governorate is where this interview took place and during which Shaykh Fahd confirmed to me beforehand that he had indeed survived an American air raid that targeted a police station that was close by in the city of Zanjibar, the capital of the Abyan Governorate a few weeks ago, despite the fact that media sources spoke about his death in that raid. In this interview, Shaykh Fahd Bin-Muhammad al-Qasa (37 years old) answered questions about the rumors circulating about the true relationship between the Al-Qa'ida Organization and President Salih's regime and about the aftermath of Al-Qa'ida taking over the Abyan Governorate. This is in addition to the organization's position vis-à-vis the latest popular revolutions and many other questions about other issues.

Following is the interview:

[Al-Jamal] Let us begin with the latest developments. You easily gained control of the city of Zanjibar and with the same ease you lost it...why is that?

[Al-Qasa] The army did not enter Zanjibar as it had claimed and the jihadists did not withdraw. This is the truth on the ground. All this noise and all this celebration by the regime was because they simply opened a passage to supply the 25th Brigade overland. This does not mean that much in the battle because the American and Saudi supplies did not stop reaching the brigade from the air. Circumstances of the war change and alternate from time to time and guerrilla warfare does not depend on maintaining territory. Our battle continues and will not stop. It cannot be restricted to Zanjibar or anywhere else. The entire land will be a battlefield with this regime and its criminal forces until it falls, God willing.

[Al-Jamal] Let us assume that you continue to control the Abyan Governorate, so what next, will you spend all your lives defending what you have controlled, especially since your presence anywhere means the presence of war?

[Al-Qasa] It is the regime that ignites the war supported by the Americans. As for us, like all Muslims, we are defending ourselves in the same way as what is happening in Arhab, Al-Hisbah, Naham, and Ta'z. So the presence of war or its absence is not linked to us but is linked to the regime that is oppressing, killing, and destroying. Our jihad will continue until the thrones of tyrants perish, security and shura prevail, and wealth is justly distributed among the people.

[Al-Jamal] But in the past Al-Qa'ida used to avoid appearing and taking control, so what pushed it to take over control of the Abyan Governorate?

[Al-Qasa] The development is that the Yemeni people from top to bottom went out against the regime and demonstrated its complete desire that the rule of Ali Salih comes to an end. Our efforts were united for that purpose. We are an integral part of the people's project toward dignity and freedom under the banner of Islam.

[Al-Jamal] You said in your last message to Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri that you are moving forward with a plan that was drawn up by him. Do we understand that this new strategy of "appearing and controlling" is his plan?

[Al-Qasa] We are fighting one enemy in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen and they are the Americans and their agents. The strategy is to confront them and wage jihad against them. We are organizing and coordinating thi s with the mujahidin leaders.

[Al-Jamal] Regarding the control, will the matter stop at the Abyan Governorate or will it go beyond to other governorates, especially since such operations have started in the Lahj Governorate?

[Al-Qasa] As I mentioned earlier, we have been fighting this regime and those Americans supporting it for a long time everywhere. We are seeking to liberate the land from the filth of those tyrant leaders who are hated and rejected by their people. This land belongs to God, and He decides who inherits it.

[Al-Jamal] It is rumored that camps in the Abyan Governorate were handed over to you along with all their ammunition without a fight, did this really happen?

[Al-Qasa] This is rubbish and is fabricated by parties that always try and distort and cause chaos in order to portray a wrong image of the mujahidin. The truth is the opposite, we have given many martyrs in order to expel the Central Security Forces and a great number of them escaped to the headquarters of the 25th Brigade. We fought them on the new Al-Wihdah playing field and around 50 Central Security personnel were captured. They were released once they took an oath not to work again with these criminal forces. What I mean is that the battle continues; it is fierce and we cannot accept rumors claiming that these camps were handed over to the mujahidin. In fact, there are camps that fell into the hands of the tribes and the Huthists in Naham and Al-Jawf, so why do they not claim that these camps were handed over to them?

[Al-Jamal] But you gained control of the governorate at a very critical time and it had a negative effect on the youth revolution, as some say?

[Al-Qasa] In terms of timing, you will notice that the battle in Zanjibar took place after more than three months of the revolution erupting and this timing was enough for the revolution to achieve what it wanted to achieve. However, the regime used the language of force and killed people in the squares of change. If the mujahidin operations were to affect the revolution which announced that they were "peaceful" then why would the events in Al-Hasbah, Arhab, and Ta'z not affect the revolution? Everyone participated with arms and we say that this regime does not respond to anything but the language of force similar to what happened to the tyrant in Libya Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Our action has always been to champion the weak and to deal with events in an appropriate manner. So what do you want the mujahidin to do when they see that this regime is suppressing people and destroying the land and people? There is no solution but to defend not only in Abyan but all around the country.

[Al-Jamal] However the revolutionary youth whose killing you had stood against, accuse you of the same thing.

[Al-Qasa] The revolutionary youth are too aware to believe such talk. There is distortion, as I said, which could affect some people and they would believe these fabrications. However, when they review events and link them to one another, and when they review the historic context of the events, everyone will absorb the reality far from the distortion created by the parties that want to take control of the revolution and which talk in its name and in the name of its youth.

[Al-Jamal] Tell us about the nature of battles that took place over the past few days with the so-called army that supports the revolution?

[Al-Qasa] The talk in this regard could be lengthy. However, the most important thing is that we are not fighting "an army that supports the revolution" as some people claim. We fought against the Central Security Forces and the anti-terrorism units in Zanjibar. Everyone knows that they are the ones suppressing the revolution and killing the people. Al-Sawmali, leader of the 25th Brigade, announced that he is not with the revolution in an interview with Al-Sharq al-Awsat. It is not an honor for the rev o lution if the likes of that criminal general who kills women and children, demolishes homes and mosques in his barbaric artillery and tank attacks, joins it. In reality the general is part of the Crusader campaign against Yemen. The general is fighting on the ground and the Americans from the air. Even at the level of food and supplies they are brought to the general via American aircraft according to Brigade Commander Al-Sawmali's admission. Division leader Ali Muhsin admitted that the aid from the Americans and Saudis is what is extending the life of the 25th Brigade. Everyone knows the Saudi role that opposes the revolution in Yemen. So is this brigade with the revolution or with the Americans and Al Sa'ud.

As for the nature of the battle, it is between the mujahidin and the 25th Brigade in some corners of Zanjibar. There are a number of brigades, including the Republican Guard's 31st Brigade and the 201 Mika [Brigade] which are supported by the American, Saudi and Yemeni Air Force in addition to the American fleet which entered the Yemeni regional waters in order bomb with Cruise missiles and so on. All these parties do not want the good of Yemen but they want us to be blind followers of theirs.

Ansar al-Shari'ah [Supporters of Shari'ah]

[Al-Jamal] The governorate has been taken over by a group calling itself the Ansar al-Shari'ah. Who is this group or why the new name if this is your [group's] name?

[Al-Qasa] All Muslims are supporters of the Shari'ah. The Supporters of Shari'ah includes all mujahidin who chose their name to express their vision of their project i.e., for God's law to govern the land. The name is not the monopoly of anyone; as I mentioned, all Muslims are supporters of Shari'ah.

[Al-Jamal] Are there any differences?

[Al-Qasa] As I said, the name is a general name that expresses the mujahidin's project and it belongs to all Muslims; if the goals are united then there is no room to talk about differences.

The Crisis of the Displaced

[Al-Jamal] Tens of thousands of inhabitants have moved out of the governorate, does their difficult humanitarian situation not represent a pressure on you?

[Al-Qasa] This hurts us as does the displacement of thousands in Arhab, Al-Hisbah, and Ta'z. This is a very sad matter and our efforts will continue until we restore the lost rights and until they return safely to their cities and villages. This is our sole option. Praise be to God that the people understand this and they are praying for the victory of the mujahidin wherever they are, because they know that the main problem lies in the presence of this regime in power with all its criminal and tyrannical forces. There must be some sacrifices for the sake of freedom.

[Al-Jamal] You always compare what Al-Qa'ida is doing in Abyan to what is happening in Arhab, Al-Hisbah, and Ta'z and you forget that you have a special position.

[Al-Qasa] Those who promote this and try to isolate us from the nation are the Americans and their agents. We are part of the nation and we cannot be isolated from it. Our sorrow is the nation's sorrow, our tragedy is the nation's tragedy and our enemy is one. Is the enemy not this regime and its forces which are trained and supported by the Americans? Are those people killed, destroyed, and displaced not sons of this Muslim nation?

Those who are isolated from the nation are the regime and its forces and they are killing the people in order to please the Americans. There is no difference between these issues. The issue is the tragedy of the people and nation.

[Al-Jamal] But your presence here means constant fighting. Does this mean that the displaced people must remain displaced?

[Al-Qasa] Our presence anywhere means that we do not stand with our arms folded before the arrogance, injustice and the harm caused by this regime. O ur mission is to defend the Muslims and expel this regime and its forces from all areas where the security of people is threatened. What stops those displaced people from returning safely if military forces that belong to the regime left Arhab, Abyan and Ta'z? If what you mean is the American raids then the Americans have bombed the roaming bedouins in Al-Mu'alaha in Abyan and bombed Ma'rib and Shabwa. Everyone must fight this regime and this aggression. The fatwa by the scholars of Yemen that people must fight off the American enemy is known and famous.

[Al-Jamal] Are you afraid that this will affect your future relations with the sons of the governorate because of the harm they have suffered?

[Al-Qasa] We are the sons of these areas and our people love those who defend them and fight for them. This is what is happening. The people are interacting with the mujahidin and are supporting and praying for them. The relationship is becoming stronger with our Muslim brothers now they know the mujahidin closely, know their honest intentions, good behavior, correct path, noble goals and their comprehensive project aimed at toppling these non-believer regimes that are ruling our Muslim world. All this strengthens our communication with our Muslim brothers.

The Tribal Coup

[Al-Jamal] Why did the tribes turn against you?

[Al-Qasa] There is no coup by the tribes, all what happened was that there are official military forces wanting to wear tribal costumes in battle, and everyone knows this. You can review the names of those killed in Abyan, which the media claimed were from the tribes, and you will find that they are military personnel with high ranks in the country: the central commander of Sa'dah and the central commander of Abyan along with a great number of officers in civilian clothes. In short this story is exposed. The tribes have contacted us and have told us honestly that those are in fact our sons but they have moved outside the framework of the tribe; they are sons of the state and the regime. This is in all honesty. The mujahidin have allowed their fathers and brothers to take their bodies and this was the position of the tribes.

There are a few people from the Joint Meeting leaders who are benefiting and have personal interests and links with the American and Saudi Embassies and they are paying them money in return for causing chaos in some areas in order to create a public opinion.

[Al-Jamal] How do you read the future of the presence of Al-Qa'ida Organization here in light of the deteriorating relations with the tribes in the governorate?

[Al-Qasa] As I told you, we are the sons of the region; we are the ones striving against and fighting the state for a long time. The near and far know the injustice [practiced] by the state against these areas and other areas. The question is based on a wrong conception and that is that the mujahidin are not members of the tribes. This is not true. The majority of the mujahidin are the sons of the tribes in these areas. My area was bombarded in December 2009, corresponding to 7 Muharram 1430 Hegira.

[Al-Jamal] To what degree can you be affected by the position adopted by some tribes in the governorate in support of the army?

[Al-Qasa] As I said, only a minority is benefiting [from this position] your question should be to what degree will they themselves be affected by their shameful cooperation with the regime, the Al Sa'ud and the Americans. As for the mujahidin nothing will be an obstacle in their way, God willing. Our battle is a long term battle and the enemy will not be able to keep up with it.

[Al-jamal] Since you are mentioning Al Sa'ud, what is the role that Saudi Arabia is playing in Yemen?

[Al-Qasa] The position of the Al Sa'ud vis-à-vis the revolution is shameful. They are the ones who are supporting the regime against the revolutio n a nd are trying to thwart it. Ali Salih is being protected by them as is the case with Zine El Abidine. The Al Sa'uds support the tyrants against the people, and this is not unknown. People have gone out and demonstrated against the position of Al Sa'ud.