Yemen offensive helped, not hurt Al Qaida, says analyst

Sana'a: Autopsies revealed that 12 out of 40 people killed during a government security operation earlier this week in Arhab and Al Majalah belonged to Al Qaida, a security official said on Saturday.

However, Abdul AElah Haidar Shaye'e, an expert on terrorism issues, downplayed the government operations, saying that this will only intensify Al Qaida recruitment.

"Arhab only experienced clashes between tribesmen and security forces, there was no Al Qaida there," Shaye'e told Gulf News.

Reports of many civilian casualties emerged following the government offensive.

"Al Qaida will stand to gain after civilian casualties in Al Majalah," Shaye'e said.

Mohammad Saleh Al Kazimi, Mukbel Abdullah Awadh Shaikh, Ahmad Abdullah Awadh, Methak Al Jalad, Abdullah Awadh Shaikh were among the confirmed dead in Al Majalah area, a source told state-run media.

Two Saudi nationals, Ibrahim Al Najdi, Mohammad Rajeh Al Tharan were among a group who were buried in Sairah Cemetery, Mudiah district, Abyan, the official said.

Five more foreigners, with unknown identities, were buried in Zarah Cemetery in Lawdar district, Abyan, the official added.

Twenty-nine men were arrested following the operations in the Arhab area and in Sana'a.

The government has alleged that eight suicide bombers led by Aref Mujali and Hezam Mujali were on the verge of carrying out planned suicide missions.