Al-Qirbi: Al-Qaeda is detrimental to Yemen security, citizen's daily lives

By Faisal Darem in Sanaa
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-12-28

Al-Shorfa contributor Faisal Darem interviews Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abubaker Abdulla Al-Qirbi in his office in Sanaa.

Yemen faces a crossroads in its battle against Al-Qaeda, which is entrenched in the southern provinces. State forces are also engaged in fighting Houthi rebels in the north since the first war back broke out in 2004 through the current sixth war that began last August.

Al-Shorfa met with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abubaker Abdulla Al-Qirbi, and asked him about the challenges Yemen faces and the government policy to address those challenges.

Al-Shorfa: Regarding the last two operations launched against Al-Qaeda, what is the Yemeni government strategy?

Al-Qirbi: Yemen's strategy has been clear since the attack on the US navy destroyer USS Cole in 2000 in the Gulf of Aden. Al-Qaeda and its terrorist acts are detrimental to Yemen's security as well as to its citizens in terms of their daily life, job opportunities and ability to attract foreign investments. That is why Yemen is part of the international effort to fight terrorism, in partnership with the US, European and Arab states.

Our strategy is to continue to track down terrorists and to try to engage them in dialog to dissuade them from continuing their hostile actions and return to the right path. Ultimately, the government has the constitutional right to confront any rebellious or terrorist groups located on its territory. Those groups should abide by the constitution and the laws of the land and should lay down their arms and reintegrate into society to support security and development.

Al-Shorfa: Is Yemen seeking Islamic and Arab support in confronting Al-Qaeda?

Al-Qirbi: Yemen needs resources to train counter-terrorism forces. It needs equipment and supplies. It does not need people to carry out the operations. We need training and currently the counter-terrorism forces are being trained by the British, Germans, Americans and French. We also co-operate with Saudi Arabia.

Al-Shorfa: How do you see the Saudi role in your war against the Houthis, as well as their role in fighting Al-Qaeda in the south, especially since Saudis are also targeted?

Al-Qirbi: Saudi Arabia is fighting the Houthis because they infiltrated Saudi territory, and it turned out that they were storing weapons in Saudi territory. Saudi Arabia is confronting those rebels in order to safeguard its national security and the security of its citizens. What Saudi Arabia is doing is restricted to Saudi territory and has not extended to the Yemeni territories.

As far as combating Al-Qaeda, there is strong co-ordination between Yemen and the Kingdom. The exchange of intelligence information allowed both sides to track down Al-Qaeda activists. Therefore, such co-ordination is expected to continue since the danger threatens both countries.

Al-Shorfa: Some claim that Saada is a war by proxy.

Al-Qirbi: I don't think it has come to that, although some are trying to include other parties in that fight. However, we think this is a domestic issue, and the Yemeni government is capable of handling and terminating it.

Al-Shorfa: Some say that the Saada war will not end except through a political accord.

Al-Qirbi: I was the first one to say that before any other politician. I said that this war is meant to emphasize to the Houthis that they cannot impose their agenda on the government and the Yemeni people. We do want to bring them to the negotiating table to consider their demands, provided they accept the conditions dictated by the government to start dialog.

Al-Shorfa: What does the government make of the Iranian role in the war against the Houthis?

Al-Qirbi: As we have repeatedly pointed out, there are Iranian groups and figures of authority both inside and outside of Iran that support these groups.

Al-Shorfa: Why can't Yemen's diplomats engage Iranian diplomats to end that support?

Al-Qirbi: During the past five years many meetings took place. I visited Tehran twice conveying a message from President Ali Abdulllah Saleh to the Iranian President, explaining the reality of things. Unfortunately, though they underlined the importance of Yemeni-Iranian relations and the unity and stability of Yemen, the Iranians failed to take a clear-cut stance denouncing the Houthi rebellion in the north.

Al-Shorfa: Does this mean the Iranian government is turning a blind eye to those who support the Houthis?

Al-Qirbi: I think it is much more than turning a blind eye. The Iranian media is supporting the Houthis' viewpoint, defending them and portraying them as victims and the government as the aggressor.

Al-Shorfa: What is Yemen's strategy in curtailing the spread of extremist ideologies?

Al-Qirbi: Our strategy in limiting the spread of extremist ideologies is three-fold: First, raising awareness, a responsibility that must be shouldered by several state institutions such as the Information Ministry or the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

Second, engaging them in dialog and calmly convincing them that they must return to the right path.

Third, the educational system must focus on the notions of moderation, tolerance and true understanding of Islam and the concept of Jihad.

Al-Shorfa: How would you evaluate the present and future of Yemen amidst confrontations on the three fronts: Al-Qaeda, the Houthis and the Southern Movement?

Al-Qirbi: Yemen is facing huge challenges. If national dialog starts involving all parties, I think that that will enable Yemen to find solutions to all outstanding issues. There will continue to be sore spots and conflicts. However, the armed forces are capable of handling those groups that fuel such conflicts, especially in light of the international and regional support that Yemen receives. All those countries are standing by Yemen in its battle against the separatists, extremists and terrorist groups, because they are aware that the unity and stability of Yemen as well as its economic growth are instrumental to regional stability.

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