• Published 01:57 24.05.10
  • Latest update 01:57 24.05.10

Yemen Al-Qaida training Gaza groups to attack Israel

Documents sent to Haaretz by Shi'ite separatists in Yemen that opposes Al-Qaida points to regular, direct contact between Al-Qaida and Gaza Strip supporters.

By Zvi Bar'el

The Yemen-based arm of Al-Qaida recently sent members of the organization in the Gaza Strip a training manual with instructions for building a light aircraft and using it against Israeli targets near the border with the Strip. The plane is powered by a car engine and can be used to launch explosives into Israel.

Documents sent to Haaretz by a group of Shi'ite separatists in Yemen that opposes Al-Qaida points to regular, direct contact between the Al-Qaida organization in that country and supporters in the Gaza Strip. Some of the latter are active in Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad, which has carried out terror attacks against resorts in Sinai.

The Shi'ite rebels who passed the latest communication, and several previous ones, to Haaretz, are demanding Yemeni government recognition of their civil rights. They are keen to distinguish themselves from Al-Qaida.

According to one of the documents, Sami al-Mutairi, a Kuwaiti citizen who was convicted several years ago of killing an American citizen in Kuwait, is now man in charge of Al-Qaida operations against Israeli targets for the Palestinian territories.

Mutairi, who uses the nom de guerre of Abdallah al-Haj, was released from prison in Kuwait in 2007. He sent about $850,000 to Al-Qaida members in the Gaza Strip with a Saudi national, Abdullah al-Dusri, who posed as a tourist to bring the money in via Egypt.

Mutairi issued instructions indicating that the funds were to be used to purchase weapons in Sinai for Al-Qaida militants in the Gaza Strip and to buy apartments in Khan Yunis and in Rafah where the group's men could hide out.

The Kuwaiti specified that the weapons, once obtained, should not all be kept in the Gaza Strip for fear that they could fall into Hamas hands.

Another letter reported that members of Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad had already purchased 25 Grad rockets and concealed them in greenhouses in farms in Sinai and the Gaza Strip.

Last week Egyptian authorities reported the discovery and confiscation, in two separate operations, of large amounts of weapons, ammunition and explosives in central Sinai and near the Egyptian town of Rafah, near the border with the Gaza Strip.

The documents from the Yemeni rebels indicated that Mutairi, who since his release from prison in 2007 has become one of the top Al-Qaida figures in the Arabian peninsula, has asked a group called the Abdullah Azzam Brigades to assist Al-Qaida in Gaza because "they are fighting against the same enemy."

It is not clear whether this is the same group that claimed responsibility for terror attacks in Taba and in Eilat in 2005, or a faction of a group that operates in Syria and Lebanon.

In a letter to his subordinates in Gaza, Mutairi said he intends to send three instructors to teach them to use the arms and explosives they have acquired, as well as the fundamentals of fighting tactics.

Another letter of support for the Gaza group came from Somalia. It was written by Mukhtar Rubu Abu Mansour, a member of Al-Qaida, who offered his assistance with training and funding.

Mutairi recently finished writing a detailed document in which he sets out the strategy that should be adopted against Israel and calls for a "missile campaign" from Gaza in order to stir Hamas out of its stupor and fight Israel.

He emphasized the importance of an Al-Qaida force in the Gaza Strip that can demonstrate military prowess against Israel as a way to prevent Hamas from "surrendering" and ensuring Al-Qaida's eventual succession of that organization in the struggle against Israel.

Gaza militants

Palestinian gunmen east of Gaza City.

Photo by: AP
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  • 11. 1 0
    The minimize MOVE
    • Mark from Georgia
    • 24.05.10
    • 15:59

    Why is it that Israeli information is always questioned, it's truthfulness is either minimized or contradicted. When the facts indicate the opposite. As we all know the Palestinians have been caught numerous times with outright fabrications, photo fraud and exaggerations. Where Media, government and civilian complicity is obvious and indisputable. Israel has never been involved in anything even remotely similar, yet they are accused of worse. Now I'm not talking about some minor cover-up that happens in all governments, of course that has happened in Israel too. The point is, clearly there is outside terrorist groups operating in Gaza, that should come as no great surprise to anyone. They pose a danger and those who would disregard it are laughable idiots. Because we all know if those terrorists were next door to them, they worried as heck. Bottom line is why they minimize it to begin with?

  • 10. 0 1
    Occupation
    • ms
    • 24.05.10
    • 15:51

    Yes, yes, the longer the State of Israel occupy, the more the terrorists multiply..

  • 9. 0 0
    Michael F: All the Arabs in Palestine (Gaza included) are SUNIS
    • Rachel
    • 24.05.10
    • 12:57

    GET SOME EDUCATION BEFORE YOU WRITE HERE!

  • 8. 0 0
    You Alienate Hamas, You get Al Qaeda in return
    • Andrew
    • 24.05.10
    • 12:13

    This is a product of Israel's stubborn attitude towards Hamas, even when the group showed willingness to compromise and support the peace process. Israel makes Hamas appear as a monster, in return it gets Al Qaeda. If Al Qaeda gains a foothold in Palestine, the suicide bmbings of the 90's may look mild compared to Al Qaeda's operations. Wake up Israel, you have an opportunity for dialogue with Hamas. No matter what the groups charter states in writing, the groups actions show it is willing to accept a fair and just peace.

  • 7. 0 0
    who is Al-Quida/
    • tom masri
    • 24.05.10
    • 09:45

    The birth of Al -Qaida was generated by the Israel’s humiliation to the Muslims world through its support by the western world as long they have cheap oil. The Western Worlds gave Israel the wrong impression that they love it, but the truth they love the oil.

  • 6. 0 0
    it is bound to re-appear
    • sami abu ismail
    • 24.05.10
    • 08:39

    For all Muslims, fighting for the liberation of Palestine is a religious duty . If they die, they are martyrs. Arab regimes are fearful are hence they are de facto allies of Israel. Islamists are by definition sincere and a tenacious foe to the Israel project. Arab states are busy protecting the borders of Israel and hence their jails are full of true or assumed militants. If Muslim resistants can link with their Palestinian brothers and bring them supports and ammunitions, the whole western schemes in this region will surely collapse in no time. Not only Palestine would become a very hot theatre but Arab regimes would be vulnerable. As in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalya, and other places on earth, the western powers would be very busy trying to stop this owesome flood. Arab armies have been defeated every time they faced Israel because of the formidable arrays of forces they confronted and above all because the regimes were never honest. They see in Israel their backer rather than their ennemy. Israelis must not be blind to these trivial realities. The US mights have anything but effective facing few underarmed but very determined Jihadis. The Soviets were fataly humiliated in Afghanistan, their followers are in deep trouble in the Caucus.

  • 5. 0 0
    Natural Allies
    • Chaim Ben Kahan
    • 24.05.10
    • 08:21

    The Islamic extremist of the world are natural allies and enemies of Israel and peace. Al-Quaida and Hamas have near identical visions and beliefs so it is only natural they would work closely together.

  • 4. 0 0
    reap as you sow
    • ravi
    • 24.05.10
    • 08:02

    it was the plo... then hamas and hizbollah... now al qaida. the obdutare israel gets. the more extreme the pals get. cant blame them reap as you sow.

  • 3. 0 0
    Attention Please
    • BEN JABO
    • 24.05.10
    • 06:37

    #1 & #2 Instructors are to follow, try reading the article a bit more carefully "In a letter to his subordinates in Gaza, Mutairi said he intends to send three instructors to teach them to use the arms and explosives they have acquired, as well as the fundamentals of fighting tactics."

  • 2. 5 3
    Now wait a minute!
    • MichaelF
    • 24.05.10
    • 06:18

    Al-Qaeda has repeatedly launched verbal attacks against Israel, but when have they actually launched a physical attack against Israel? Never! As for al-Qaeda cells in Gaza, the stated reason for their existance was for the Sunni al-Qaeda to fight Shiite Hamas. In fact Hamas has actually moved against al-Qaeda cells in Gaza pretty much putting them out of business. But also note, not every group calling itself al-Qaeda is actually connected to bin Laden. Some are influenced by bin Laden and some are allies. But others are just al-Qaeda "wannabees," or a group of nobodies who think that calling themselves al-Qaeda makes them look tough.

  • 1. 7 11
    AL-Queda Sent a Manual
    • NYC Guy
    • 24.05.10
    • 03:33

    LMAO Hilarious and desperate of Israel to manufacture this BS. You can probably get any type of manual you want on the internet. DUH You dont need Al-queda