Yemen Accidentally Kills Own Deputy Governor in US-Backed Air Strike
Deputy Governor's Relatives Attack Oil Pipeline in Retaliation
The Yemeni government’s disastrous ham-fistedness in dealing with its assorted conflicts struck again today, when an air strike that was ostensibly aimed at an “al-Qaeda meeting” struck and killed one of the government’s top officials.
The attack instantly killed Deputy Governor Jaber al-Shabwani and at least three other travel companions. Ironically Shabwani was traveling to an al-Qaeda auxiliary meeting at the time in an attempt to convince them to surrender to the government.
Shabwani’s family, a powerful tribe in the area, wasted no time in retaliating for his killing, and were reported to have blown up a key oil pipeline just hours after his death. There were also reports of rioting in the streets of the Ma’arib region and Shabwani tribesmen blocking the roads to the capital city.
Though details are still difficult to come by some outlets are reporting that the attack was actually conducted by the US military on Yemen’s behalf, or that it was conducted with the help of the US military, though the US government refuses to confirm or deny either at this point.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012
MoT
May 26th, 2010 at 7:39 am
"Ham-fisted" death from above? Gotta be Uncle Sam.
Walldizo
May 26th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Some sources are talking about a trap set out by the Yemeni Government to get Al-Shabwani. Sources say that Al-Shabwani had lately developed an intimate relations with the opposition and was willing to work with Al-Mushtarak in the coming election.So, it seems that the US has carried Saleh's dirty job.Well done Saleh.
jeff_davis
May 26th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Exactly my thought. This sort of screw-up has "Work of the US Military" written all over it. Can you spell P-A-T T-I-L-L-M-A-N? Smart weapons, moron leadership.