The list below, compiled from various sources, includes security incidents and related events which appeared to have some political significance.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JULY | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
DECEMBER 2000
BOMB LINKED TO'MILLENNIUM PLOT'
The attack on USS Cole began with a plan by Osama bin Laden to stage a spectacular three-country attack last January, President Clinton's top terrorism adviser says. Reports: Washington Post, ABC, AP/Dow Jones. Background: Yemen Gateway
TORTURE REPORT
The annual report by Human Rights Watch said: “There were credible reports of torture in state prisons as well as in private jails and illegal detention facilities” in Yemen. It also noted a deterioration in freedom of expression. Story: Yemen Times. Full text: Human Rights Watch
TRIBE ATTACKS ARMY
Two soldiers were injured in a clash between the Jahm tribe and the army near Marib. Report: Yemen Times
NAVAL CHIEF REPLACED
Yemen's naval comander has been replaced after complaining of "endemic corruption". Report: AP
NOVEMBER 2000
INVESTIGATORS AGREE
Yemen and the US have reached a deal on how to proceed with the USS Cole investigation. Reports: New York Times, Reuters. Background: Yemen Gateway
GIRL DIES IN STAMPEDE
One girl died and six others, aged between eight and 10, were injured in an apparent stampede at a school in Sana'a. Report: Reuters/Alertnet
BIRMINGHAM RAID
British police have raided a shop in Birmingham as part of their hunt for "Abu Abdullah", an Algerian man who is said to have arrived in Britain two years ago from Yemen to recruit volunteers on behalf of Usama bin Laden. Report: Reuters
"MORGUE MURDERER"SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Sudanese man accused of killing women in the mortuary at Sana'a University's medical school has been sentenced to death. Reports: Times of India, BBC, Reuters
FIVE DIE IN HELICOPTER CRASH
A Yemeni military helicopter crashed 40 km west of Sana'a, killing two pilots, two airmen and a Jordanian officer. Military sources attributed it to a technical fault. Report: AFP
GRENADE KILLS TWO
Two people were killed and five injured in a grenade explosion in the salt market of Sana'a's old city. It was the second grenade incident in the market in little more than a year. Reports: Yemen Times, Reuters
OCTOBER 2000
USS COLE BOMBED IN ADEN HARBOUR
See Yemen Gateway's special report
BOMB HITS BRITISH EMBASSY
A bomb exploded at the British embassy in Sana'a early on October 13. It had apparently been thrown over a wall into the compound. The embassy reported "considerable damage" but no casualties. Report: Yemen Gateway
SEPTEMBER 2000
MINISTER PRESSES BRITONS' CASE
British minister Keith Vaz, visiting Yemen, said he had discussed with President Salih the case of seven Britons jailed in Yemen on terrorism charges (see special report). Story: Reuters. Early release likely: The Guardian
SALAFIS FALL OUT
Three people were seriously injured in clashes between rival sections of the Salafi movement at a mosque in Little Aden. Report: Yemen Times
OIL EXPERTS "NOT ARRESTED"
Seven oil experts who went missing in eastern Yemen (see news item below) had strayed over the Saudi border, but were not arrested, the Saudi news agency said. Report: Middle East Wire
OIL EXPERTS DISAPPEAR IN DESERT
Seven oil experts, including including Americans and Australians, have gone missing in eastern Yemen where they were working near the Saudi border. Yemeni army helicopters have been searching the area, but there are suggestions they may have been arrested by the Saudis. Report: AP/CNN
VILLAGE GUN BATTLE
Two soldiers are said to have died in a battle between security forces and villagers near Dhali'. No details yet.
EARLY RELEASE LIKELYFOR JAILED BRITONS
Yemen is planning an early release for five young Britons jailed on terrorism charges. The move follows a meeting between foreign secretary Robin Cook and President Ali Abdullah Salih in London. It is thought the Britons could be released early next year to mark a special occasion, such as 'Eid al-Adha (March 6) or Yemen's National Day (May 22).Report: The Guardian. Background: Yemen Gateway
TRIBE HALTS DIG
A French-Italian archaeological team had to stop excavations following pressure from a tribe in the Bayhan region. Report: AFP
LAND MINE AT TAX OFFICE
Police in Sanaa defused a land mine placed in front of a tax office. Meanwhile, three men have been jailed for 15 years for kidnapping foreigners. Report: ArabicNews
AUGUST 2000
TRIBE ATTACKS PUMPING STATION
Members of the Zayidi tribe attacked an oil pumping station number in the Serwah area of Marib with rocket-propelled grenades and bazookas. Report: Yemen Times
SOCIALIST LEADERS ARRESTED
Five leaders of the Yemen Socialist Party, preparing for their fourth general congress, were briefly detaining in Aden for " meeting without a permit". Reports: Yemen Times, AP. Party congress: Yemen Times
BOMB INJURES SOLDIERS
Four soldiers were injured while trying to defuse a bomb near the offices of a Ba'ath party newspaper. Report: Reuters
PORNOGRAPHY CRACKDOWN
Security forces are cracking down on hotels using satellite dishes to offer guests the ability to watch pornographic films. Report: AFP
OFFICIAL SHOT DEAD
The assistant deputy governor of Sana'a province was shot dead, and several others were injured, when gunmen opened fire on his car. Report: Reuters
FAMILY SUE UNIVERSITY
The family of an Iraqi student allegedly murdered by a mortuary worker at Sana'a Medical School are to sue the university. Report: Reuters
JULY 2000
JAIL FOUND AT UNIVERSITY
A private prison - one of a number in Yemen - has been discovered at Sana'a university. Report: Yemen Times
MILITARY SPENDING CUTS
Yemen is to reduce military spending (currently more than 32% of the state budget) as a result of the border agreement with Saudi Arabia. Report: Reuters
BRITISH TEENAGER SHOT DEAD
A 16-year-old youth from London, Hosea Walker, was been shot dead at an Islamic studies centre in Sa'ada. Reports: BBC, Ananova, AFP,Reuters, The Times
-
Britons ask: was it really an accident? - Yemen Times
-
Background on the Salafieh movement and its founder - Yemen Times
-
"Our peaceful movement", by Salafi leader - Yemen Times
-
Body of shot Briton returns home - Reuters
-
The Jihad experience - Yemen Gateway comment
MINISTER ATTACKS BLASPHEMY CASE
The information minister has criticised the blasphemy trial of a journalist, saying it has damaged Yemen's image. Report: Reuters
JUNE 2000
SECURITY FORCES SHELL VILLAGE
Security forces and army units used heavy artillery to shell Misrakh village in Ta'iz province. The move came when people guarding a small plot of land against confiscation resisted arrest. First reports said at least five people were injured and eight houses were destroyed. Report: AP/Ananova
KIDNAPPER GETS 20 YEARS
A 25-year-old Yemeni has been jailed for 20 years for kidnapping. Other members of the gang are still at large. Report: Reuters. Background: Yemen Gateway.
MURDERS CONFIRMED
German experts, called in the investigate the "morgue murders" case, have confirmed that two of the alleged victims were murdered. Report: Reuters
KIDNAPPED NORWEGIAN SHOT DEAD
A Norwegian diplomat has been shot dead in Yemen after he and his eight-year old son were kidnapped by armed men. Reports: Yemen Times, AFP, BBC
DEATH SENTENCES FOR KIDNAPPING
Seven Yemenis have been sentenced to death, and 21 others to jail terms of up to 15 years. Eighteen of the 28 people convicted - including the group's alleged leader - were tried in their absence. Report: Reuters
TWO JAILED FOR BOMBINGS
Two men have been jailed for a series of bomb attacks in southern Yemen. Reports: Reuters, AFP
MAY 2000
CALL FOR EXECUTION OF "RIPPER"
A protest march by more than 10,000 students called for the "Sanaa ripper", who has confessed to raping and murdering 16 women, be executed. Reports: Reuters, AFP, Yemen Times
-
Forensics team appointed - AFP
-
New twist in case - BBC
-
Professors arrested - ArabicNews
15 BODIES FOUND
Investigators in the case of the mortuary murders at Sana'a university have found the bodies of 15 women. Report: Reuters
MURDER IN THE MORGUE
Police have arrested a Sudanese assistant at Sana'a University's medical school on suspicion of raping and murdering up to 16 women. There are reports that the man, who worked in the mortuary and taught students how to carry out autopsies, sold his victims' body parts to customers outside Yemen. Reports: AP/CNN, BBC. Suspect "killed 11 more women in Sudan": BBC
APRIL 2000
"SORCERER" IS A YEMENI
The Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef, says the "sorcerer" arrested on April 23 is a Yemeni. The arrested man, Hussein Ismail al-Makrami, was imam of the Ismailis' main mosque in Najran, close to the border with Yemen. A Saudi security officer was killed when disturbances broke out following the arrest. Reports: AFP, ABC News
KIDNAP SUSPECT ARRESTED
The Yemeni authorities have arrested a man suspected of kidnapping foreigners. He is also accused of murder and armed assaults. The identity of the kidnap victims has not been disclosed. Reports: ArabicNews, Reuters, BBC
FOUR DIE IN PRIVATE JAIL
April 24: Four men have died after being imprisoned by sheikhs Nasser and Ali al-Mikdad in Dhamar province. There are numerous tribal prisons in Yemen, though the government has attempted to close some of them. Report: Yemen Times
YEMENI PLANE "VIOLATEDNIGERIAN AIR SPACE"
A Yemeni airliner which had been detained in Kano since Saturday for violating Nigeria's air space has now been allowed to leave. Report: AFP
STUDENTS CALLED TO FIGHTIN CHECHNYA
Several Yemeni students say they have been offered large sums of money to fight in Chechnya. Report: Yemen Times
-
Bin Laden funding military training for British and Yemeni terrorists: The Times
-
Abu Hamza and the Islamic Army: Yemen Gateway
BRITONS' SENTENCES UPHELD
April 16: Yemen's Supreme Court has upheld jail sentences against seven Britons convicted on terrorism charges. Report: Reuters
YEMENI BEHEADED IN SAUDI ARABIA
April 3: A Yemeni convicted of kidnapping and sexually abusing a boy was beheaded in Najran, Saudi Arabia. It was the 15th beheading in Saudi Arabia this year. Last year, at least 99 people were executed. Report: AP
YEMENI ON TERROR CHARGES
A Yemeni is among 28 people indicted in Jordan on terrorism charges. The authorities say the suspects are linked to Osama bin Laden. Report: UPI
MARCH 2000
SHEIKH MURDERED
Sheikh Hassan Mohammed Manna'a (a businessman and a prominent figure in the Islah party) was shot dead on March 25 while leaving his house in Sa'ada. A man has been arrested, but the motive for the murder is not clear. Report: Yemen Times
TRIBAL BARRICADE NEAR MARIB
The Obaidah tribe has set up a road block 5 km from Marib because of a dispute with the Bani Hareth tribe over employment at the Janah Hunt Oil field. Report: Yemen Times
CLASH IN TAHRIR SQUARE
The son of "an influential man" was involved in an armed clash in Tahrir Square, Sana'a. Report: Yemen Times
COMPANY TO BE PROSECUTED
The government is to prosecute al-Monkid, the well-known investment company, for allegedly violating business regulations. The firm was recently accused of involvement in the kidnapping of an American oil worker. Report: Yemen Times
JUDGE SEEKS ASYLUM
A prominent Yemeni judge is seeking political asylum in the west. Report: Yemen Times
MYSTERY OF MISSING STUDENT
A 22-year-old female student from the UAE has been missing in Yemen since last December. Her family believe she has been kidnapped. Report: Gulf News
DUTCH MAN SHOT DEAD
A Dutch man and a Yemeni working on a project to develop small industries have been shot dead by a colleague at their office in Sana'a. Reports: Reuters, UPI
SAUDIS IN KIDNAP TRIAL
Eight men, including two Saudis, have gone on trial, accused of plotting to kidnap foreigners and "obtaining money by fraud and forging official Saudi and Yemeni documents." Report: Reuters/ABC
FEBRUARY 2000
GOVERNOR IN GUN BATTLE
The governor of al-Dali' province survived an assassination attempt on February 15. His security men returned fire in a gun battle which lasted for about an hour. Reports: al-Ayyam (Arabic), Reuters
U.S. ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING
The United States has revised - and hardened - its advice on travel to Yemen. Report: UPI
PLAN TO DESTROY LAND MINES
Yemen is to destroy a stockpile of 10,000 anti-personnel mines as part of its commitment to an international treaty banning the weapons. Report: Reuters
JAIL FOR BOMBING ATTEMPT
A 19-year-old youth has been jailed for three years for attempting to blow up Yemen's main oil pipeline. Report: Reuters
TEENAGER ON SABOTAGE CHARGE
A 19-year-old youth has gone on trial, accused of attempting to bomb Yemen's main oil pipeline. Report: Reuters
JANUARY 2000
YEMEN BLAMES FOREIGN PLOTS
Yemen says "foreign fronts" are behind kidnappings and their aim is to damage the country's reputation and stability. Report: ArabicNews
PIRATE ATTACK
An Australian woman was shot and wounded when she and her partner were attacked in their catamaran by pirates. Report: AFP
ISLAH LEADERS "BEHIND KIDNAP"
The government has accused leaders of the main opposition party, Islah, of being behind the abduction of an American oil worker. Reports: AFP, AP. American was snatched from his bed: Yemen Times. Kidnap Chronicle: Yemen Gateway.
ARMS GUARANTEES HALTED
Britain is to stop underwriting arms loans to a further 22 developing countries, including Yemen. Report: AP
"JACKAL" SENTENCE
Johannes Weinrich, a close associate of Carlos "the Jackal", was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 17 by a German court for his part in the 1983 bombing of a French cultural center in West Berlin. Weinrich was eventually found in Yemen and extradited to Germany in 1995.
