Islamic jihadists are able to operate with relative impunity in Nigeria, Somalia, and, apparently, Yemen. They could only do this if they enjoyed friends and supporters in high places — people who believe that what they’re doing in the name of Islam is good and right.
“Al-Qaeda gunmen storm Yemeni city; 27 killed,” by Mohammed Mukhashaf and Mohamed Ghobari, Reuters, May 24, 2014 (t thanks to Kenneth):
ADEN, Yemen At least 27 people were killed in an overnight raid by gunmen on a city in southeastern Yemen, residents and a local official said on Saturday, as Al-Qaeda continues its fightback against a government offensive in the country.
Armed with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and explosives, attackers drove in from the surrounding desert on 15 pickup trucks into Seyoun after detonating a car bomb at the entrance to the city in Hadramout province.
Al Qaeda has carried out many hit-and-run attacks since the Yemeni army drove it from its southern strongholds in Abyan and Shabwa provinces last month. The West is concerned the group could use Yemen, which borders major oil producer Saudi Arabia, as a base for international attacks.
The militants targeted at least seven locations, including the main military posts, the local police headquarters, bank branches and the airport.
Residents said the city’s electricity supply was cut during the attack and they heard explosions and gunfire throughout the night. The militants briefly captured some buildings before withdrawing early on Saturday.
“They wanted to capture the city and control it,” a local official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters….