Yemen says foils plot to seize oil and gas facilities

A government official said Wednesday that Yemeni security forces have foiled a plot by al-Qaeda to take over oil and gas export facilities and a provincial capital in the eastern part of the country.          

Rajeh Badi, press adviser to Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa, said the plot involved using dozens of al-Qaeda militants dressed in Yemeni army uniforms to storm the facilities on the night of the 27th of Ramadan, which was on Sunday, and hold them.          

Earlier, security officials said suspected US drone strikes killed seven alleged al-Qaeda militants in southern Yemen. The suspected drone attack is the fifth in Yemen in less than two weeks.              

The attacks come a day after the US and Britain evacuated embassy staff due to a threatened attack in the country, and militants shot down a helicopter.                         

The officials said the militants were killed early Wednesday in Shabwa province. They spoke anonymously in line with regulations.                   

Residents of the area of Markha in Shabwa province said they saw two vehicles and several bodies on fire at the site of the strikes. They declined to be identified, fearing reprisals.         

Washington considers al-Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot one of the world's most active.


REUTERS/AP