Overseas Security Advisory Council Title of Report, Date U.S. Embassy Sana’a Attack September 17, 2008 The contents of this (U) presentation in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various open sources and (U) embassy reporting.

Overseas Security Advisory Council Incident/Attack Overview Approximately 9:15 a.m.: Two suicide vehicle bombs explode outside U.S. Embassy Sana’a 16 are reported dead –Including six Yemeni soldiers, four civilians and six attackers Islamic Jihad of Yemen has claimed the attack –Yemeni and U.S. officials have said the attack bears the hallmarks of al-Qa’ida It is the second strike on U.S. Embassy Sana’a in six months, and at least the fourth attack on the embassy since 2003

Overseas Security Advisory Council Attack Details Shortly before 9:15 a.m., attackers opened fire outside the security gate at U.S. Embassy Sana’a; press has speculated that the gunfire targeted the guards at the entrance Following the gunfire, the first of two suicide vehicles detonated; according to press, the second exploded after it passed an outer gate to the embassy, but did not breach the protective barrier Further gunfire is also said to have followed the explosions (a gun battle was said to continue for 15 minutes) Militants were said by witnesses to be dressed as policemen; at least one of the attackers was also reportedly wearing an explosive belt

Overseas Security Advisory Council Claim/Determination of Responsibility Islamic Jihad of Yemen claimed the attack; press has reported that a day previously, it threatened attacks on U.S., British, Saudi and United Arab Emirates missions if jailed members of the group were not released –The authenticity of this claim has not been verified –According to press, Islamic Jihad in Yemen has been involved in previous attacks on Western targets in Yemen, including a U.S. hospital Yemeni and U.S. officials, however, have pointed to al-Qa’ida –The sophistication of the attack, number of attackers, complex nature (using small arms and multiple suicide vehicles), and attackers disguised as security forces are noted al-Qa’ida hallmarks –There are several al-Qa’ida-affiliated networks in Yemen, including al-Qa’ida Yemen (AQY)

Overseas Security Advisory Council Yemen Government Response Hundreds of Yemeni troops surrounded the embassy and blocked nearby roads

Overseas Security Advisory Council U.S. Embassy Sana’a issued a Warden Message on September 17, which can be found at = =90586 U.S. Embassy Sana’a had ordered the departure of non-essential personnel after attacks in March and April, but that order was lifted in August At that time, embassy employees were not authorized to travel outside Sana’a, and were advised to avoid hotels, restaurants and tourist areas U.S. Embassy Response

Overseas Security Advisory Council Terrorism in Yemen Yemen, Osama bin Laden’s ancestral home, has long been a target of al-Qa’ida and a haven for militants –Despite significant recent anti-terrorism efforts and cooperation with the U.S., it has been difficult for Yemeni forces to restrain militants There are several groups in Yemen with varying affiliations to al- Qaida that have claimed attacks in recent years –Reported most often in the press is al’Qa’ida Yemen (AQY), led by Nasir al-Wahayshi, the former personal secretary of al-Qa’ida leader Osama bin Laden –Please see OSAC’s report detailing AQY and attacks in April and May at Other militant groups, some with reported connections to al-Qaida, have claimed responsibility for attacks on Belgian and Spanish tourists, among others

Overseas Security Advisory Council August 2008: Yemeni security forces announced the arrest of 30 suspected al-Qa’ida members and the dismantling of an extremist cell –This led to concern in neighboring countries, especially Saudi Arabia, that the group may also have targeted western interests outside Yemen April 2008: A rocket attack targeted a residential compound used by a western oil company in the Hadda neighborhood April 2008: Suspected extremists fired two mortar rounds toward the Yemen Customs Authority and the Italian Embassy; no one was hurt Recent Noteworthy Terrorism Incidents August Arrests

Overseas Security Advisory Council Recent Noteworthy Terrorism Incidents March 2008: A schoolgirl and a policeman were killed in a mortar attack aimed at U.S. Embassy Sana’a –The mortars, which had been fired toward the U.S. Embassy, instead hit a nearby school –AQY claimed responsibility July 2007: Eight Spanish tourists were killed in a VBIED attack –The attack was attributed to AQY VBIED Attack on Tourists

Overseas Security Advisory Council Noteworthy Past Terrorist Incidents 2006: 23 al-Qaida suspects escaped from a Yemen prison 2006: Attempted bombings of two oil facilities 2006: Eight Spanish tourists killed by a vehicle bomb 2000: Bombing of USS Cole in southern port of Aden, which killed 17 U.S. sailors Oil Attack, USS Cole

Overseas Security Advisory Council Resources/For Further Information OSAC has published multiple reports on Yemen, which can be found on OSAC’s country page for Yemen: For further questions, please contact OSAC’s Middle East Team: –Brent Heminger ( ) –Mary Hackman ( )