Amman/Brussels, 8 January 2003: Yemen
is vastly more complex than the headlines it generates. Recent events,
especially the killing by U.S.
forces of six Islamist radicals in November 2002 and the murder of three
American missionaries in late December, reinforce the image of a weak and
lawless state that is a sanctuary for al-Qaeda. Although international
terrorism presents a significant challenge in Yemen,
a narrow approach that ignores the domestic roots of the country’s many
problems may jeopardise the stability of this fragile state.
In a new report published today,
Yemen: Coping with Terrorism and Violence in a Fragile State, the
International Crisis Group (ICG) warns against a single-minded focus on
terrorism – and on combating it almost entirely through military means. The
international community, especially the United States, should carefully calibrate any
direct military operation inside the country, since such actions risk fuelling
extremism. While fighting terrorism, international assistance should also
ensure Yemen is able to improve border controls, tackle poverty, promote education and
strengthen the judicial system and democratisation process.
ICG Middle East Program Director Robert Malley said:
"Focussing solely on terrorism carries serious risks. A large-scale U.S.
military presence would galvanise hostile public opinion in Yemen
and boost the popularity of extremist groups and organisations. It could also
lead to the Yemeni government using the cover of anti-terrorism efforts to
pursue its own, unrelated political objectives, bending the rule of law in ways
that generate more anti-government feeling and create new recruitment
opportunities for militant Islamist groups".
Unified only in 1990, and having suffered a civil war in
1994, Yemen is split on ethnic, religious, economic and political lines. The central
government is weak and tribal loyalties are strong. Poverty, rapid population
growth, competition for resources, especially water, and a heavily armed civilian
population form the backdrop to violent clashes and hostage taking. Al-Qaeda
and other Islamist groups have found refuge in Yemen’s
remote areas, and weapons are smuggled into and through Yemen across porous borders.
However Yemen is also the most democratic country in the
Arabian Peninsula, and since 2001, its government has shown a general commitment to cooperating
with efforts to uproot the al-Qaeda network. Overall, President Ali Abdallah
Salih has struck a delicate balance, cooperating with counter-terrorism
activities but, recognising domestic opposition, keeping the U.S.
presence low-key. At the same time, he has tried to deflect domestic criticism
by blaming that U.S. presence on Islamist militants, and he is sharply
critical of U.S. policies toward Iraq
and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Yemeni government urgently needs to
deal with the economic and social issues that have intensified since
unification, but the international community also has a responsibility to
ensure that its efforts against terrorism are conducted in a manner that
promotes long-term stability and the rule of law.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.86.82.93.51
email: [email protected]
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
Read the full ICG report on our website: www.crisisweb.org
