On 15 September 2006, four militants attempted suicide attacks on two different oil facilities in Yemen. Two militants each driving car bombs attempted to target an oil storage facility at the Canadian-Yemeni al-Dhabba Port in Hadhramaut governorate, but their vehicles exploded prematurely after security opened fire on them, killing a guard. Another two militants tried car bombing the Safer oil refinery in Marib governorate shortly after, though they too were killed before their vehicles could reach the target. The attacks, which were claimed by al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQY), served as the first major operation carried out by the group since its revival in February of the same year.[1]
Fears of terrorist attacks in Yemen had increased since 23 al-Qaeda members escaped from a prison in Sana'a in February, with 14 still being at large by September.[2] Al-Qaeda in Yemen had previously attacked a French oil tankerMV Limburg while near the al-Dhabba Port in 2002.[2] Days prior to the bombings, al-Qaeda released a video message coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks in which deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri declared that the Arab states of the Persian Gulf as well as Israel would be the groups next targets, blaming oil facilities within the countries for stealing Muslim oil.[3][2] The attack occurred only four days before the 2006 Yemeni presidential election.[3]
al-Dhabba attack
At 5:15 a.m. AST (UTC+03:00), two pickup trucks loaded with explosives drove at high speeds towards the oil storage tanks at the al-Dhabba port, which "filled a huge amount of oil," according to officials.[4][2] The attack was reportedly timed to coincide with morning shift changes at the installation.[5] One of the drivers was wearing a uniform similar to that of the workers at the facility while the other driver was wearing a military uniform.[4] One vehicle drove through the main gate and opened fire on the security guards at the port, killing one while the second vehicle attempted to advance behind it.[3] The guards returned fire at the militants, exploding their vehicles before they could reach their targets.[6] Shrapnel from the explosions caused a small fire in one of the storage tanks but it was quickly put out.[7] No significant damage to the facility was reported.[8]
Safer attack
At 5:50 a.m. AST (UTC+03:00), two white cars loaded with explosives and hand grenades, which were reportedly similar to those driven by staff at the facility, drove towards the Safer oil refinery in Marib city.[7][4] The militants attempted to break into the facility; one vehicle drove through the main fence about 200 meters from the installation’s main plant while the other vehicle breached the inner fence about 20 meters from the plant.[9][4] Security guards confronted the militants, one of whom was firing at them, and blew up the cars before they reached the main facility.[3][6] No injuries or significant damage to the facility was reported, but debris from the blast was strewn around the site. Explosives experts later investigated the scene to scan for unexploded devices.[4]
Responsibility
Al-Qaeda in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement posted on an Islamistwebsite dated to 13 October. The statement vowed more attacks against "the Americans and their allies among the worshippers of the cross and their apostate aides." The group said that the attack was done on the orders of Osama bin Laden to "hit the Western economy and stop the robbing of Muslims' wealth." The statement urged Yemeni PresidentAli Abdullah Saleh to "repent, return to his faith, apply Islamic law, renounce democracy, the religion of America, and abandon (his) alliance with the infidels", adding that the deaths of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Ali al-Harithi would "pass without revenge."[10]
On 6 November 2007, pro al-Qaeda websites displayed a video of one of the suicide bombers in the attack, Shafiq Ahmad Omar Zaid. He said that "We are God's bombs at your disposal," while addressing Osama bin Laden, proclaiming to "Kill the infidels and do not be intimidated by their numbers or equipment."[8]
Investigation
Later in September, Yemeni authorities announced that they had broken up an AQY cell that organized the attacks, seizing explosives intended for use in a bombing in Sana'a.[10][11] On 4 March 2007, a Yemeni court charged 36 people, including six in absentia, with taking part in the bombing attempts.[11] All of the present suspects pleaded not guilty, with six of them, including lead suspect Abu Bakr al-Rubaeim claiming to have been tortured by authorities into forced confessions.[12] On 7 November 2007, 32 suspects were charged and sentenced to two to 15 years in prison for “forming an armed gang aimed at carrying out sabotage attacks."[13][12] Four of the 36 suspects were acquitted based on lack of evidence, including the bodyguard of previous Presidential candidate Faisal Bin Shamlan.[13]
Reactions
A statement from the Yemeni Interior Ministry said that attacks will not stop the nation from "continuing its persistent efforts to fight terrorism and the terrorist elements of darkness that are trying to undermine the security and stability of the country and its interests."[2]
