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Sanaa: The Yemeni government has vowed to strike with "an iron fist" after a recent internet statement attributed to "Al Qaida in Yemen" claimed responsibility for suicide attacks on oil facilities in the country and pledged more attacks.
According to analysts, the statement is genuine. It "indicates the beginning of a new chapter of Al Qaida activity in Yemen", they say.
"The security forces will strike with an iron fist and would relentlessly deal with every terrorist who harms Yemen, its economy or interests," the state-run 26 September weekly quoted an unidentified official as saying.
"The security organisations have taken all necessary precautions against any threats that could harm the country's security and stability," said the official.
"Al Qaida knows well that Yemen's hand would reach anybody who causes damage to it or harms its interests, not only inside Yemen, but he would be pursued even if he is in Afghanistan's mountains or wherever," the official said.
The internet statement, which was attributed to Al Qaida in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks against two oil facilities in Hudhrmout and Marib, east of Yemen, on September 15.
The statement vowed further attacks: "Those operations were only the first spark, and what is coming shall be harsher and bitter."
The statement raised many questions about Al Qaida in Yemen.
Abdul Elah Haider, writer and analyst, said the statement showed that Al Qaida cells are regrouping and rebuilding.
"The statement suggests an organised state of Al Qaida and it also suggests that Al Qaida affiliates are recovering after escaping from prison early this year," Haidar told Gulf News.
"The tone and the vocabulary of the statement are not different from those issued by Al Qaida in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, so I think the statement is genuine and credible."
Fadhl Mubarak, a writer, said: "If the statement is right, this will pose a danger and threat to Yemen."
He said two operations indicate new cells have been generated.
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