Yemen says it foiled al-Qaeda plot to blow up oil pipelines

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemen says it has foiled an al-Qaeda plot to blow up oil pipelines and seize some of the country's main ports, according to BBC News.

Security remains tight and hundreds of armored vehicles have been deployed to protect key sites. Both the U.S. and UK have withdrawn diplomatic staff from Yemen, prompted by intelligence reports of renewed terrorist activity.

The U.S. is reported to be preparing special operations forces for possible strikes against al-Qaeda. U.S. drone strikes reportedly killed seven alleged al-Qaeda militants in Yemen on Wednesday, Aug 7 - the fifth such strikes in less than two weeks.

The drones also destroyed two vehicles in the town of Nasab, in the southern province of Shabwa.

Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said the plot involved blowing up oil pipelines and taking control of certain cities - including two ports in the south, one of which accounts for the bulk of Yemen's oil exports and is where a number of foreign workers are employed.

"There were attempts to control key cities in Yemen like Mukala and Bawzeer," said Badi. "This would be coordinated with attacks by al-Qaeda members on the gas facilities in Shebwa city and the blowing up of the gas pipe in Belhaf city."

Al-Qaeda members dressed as soldiers were to be outside the ports, he said. On a given signal they were to invade the facility and take it over.

Unprecedented security measures in the capital, with hundreds of armored vehicles deployed around the city.

Tanks and troops have surrounded foreign missions, government offices and the airport, and senior officials are being advised to limit their movements.

Yemen is the base of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and both the White House and the US state department have said the current threat comes from AQAP but have refused to divulge further details.