Morning Brief: Saudi Arabia attacks rebels inside Yemen

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 8:58am

Top Story: The Saudi air force has launched attacks on rebel bases inside Yemen in response to a cross-border raid by the rebels, according to local media reports. The Saudi government has confirmed only that the air force attacked rebels inside Saudi territory, but Arab diplomats say the air force has been bombarding targets within Yemen since Wednesday afternoon and that army units have been sent to the area. The rebels launched an incursion into Saudi terroritory on Wednesday, which killed a Saudi security officer and wounded several others. 

Yemen's Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, accuse Riyadh of backing Yemen's government. The Saudis, meanwhile, worry that Iran could gain influence in the region through the rebels. Around 150,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, which began in 2004.  

U.S. officials worry that the instability could provide a new safe have for al Qaeda in Osama bin Laden's ancestral home. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the killing of three Yemeni security officials this week. 

Infiltration: Mexican drug gangs are increasingly growing marijuana on American Indian reservations. 


Asia

Middle East

Europe

Africa

  • The International Criminal Court's prosecutor says he wants to investigate crimes committed during Kenya 2007 postelection violence. 
  • A senior Lord's Resistance Army commander has surrendered to the Ugandan military. 
  • South African mediators wil facilitate talks to try to save Zimbabwe's coalition government. 

Americas

JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images
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