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'Secret' CIA base
[Al Jazeera] The US, which has poured millions of dollars into Yemen to train the army against al-Qaeda, announced on Tuesday that it is building a "secret" CIA air base somewhere in the Gulf region to target the group.But don't tell nobody, okay? 'Cuz it's a secret... For more on Yemen, visit our Spotlight page The AP news agency reported that the move is seen as preparing for a "worst case scenario" if groups opposed to US foreign policy in the region win the current power struggle raging between President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh, ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower... Yemen's president-for-life, and his opponents. The White House has already increased the numbers of CIA officers in Yemen, in anticipation of that possibility. The US has also stepped up the schedule to construct the base, from a two-year timetable to eight months. However, some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go... Al Jizz's Rosalind Jordan, reporting from Washington, said there are conflicting messages about the CIA's future involvement in Yemen. "We have had one US official tell Al Jizz that there is going to be the construction of a predator drone missile base somewhere inside Yemen. And we have had other officials essentially saying; that's not the case. So there is some confusion about whether the reports on this base are accurate, or that officials are simply trying to divert attention away from this story." AP withheld the exact location of the base at the request of US officials. The United States has been conducting air strikes against al-Qaeda targets in Yemen with permission from Saleh's government since 2009. Government officials have recently allowed expanded strikes by US armed drones and war planes against suspected al-Qaeda targets who analysts say are taking advantage of the current political unrest to grab power and territory in the Gulf country. Posted by: Fred 2011-06-16 |
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