Authorities foiled plots by Al Qaeda to take over key cities in southern Yemen and attack strategic ports and gas facilities, a Government spokesman said Wednesday amid a heightened alert that has seen Western embassies evacuated and a new suspected US drone strike that killed seven alleged militants from the terrorist group.
Al Qaeda planned to target the cities of Mukalla and Bawzeer, then send militants disguised as Yemeni troops to attack two strategic oil ports in the impoverished country on the Arabian Peninsula, Government spokesman Rageh Badi said. Other Al Qaeda militants would also try to sabotage pipelines to “create panic among Yemeni army and Yemeni security services,” said Badi.