Minister of Interior Mutahar Rashad Al-Misri noted that his ministry is hunting after 4,000 wanted people; however, he denied their links to Al-Qaeda and assured that they are connected over criminal issues, not terrorist issues.

Al-Misri told the Ministry of Interior's Media Circle that Al-Qaeda Organization in Yemen was weakened by the constant and qualitative operations of the security forces, the last of which was made last month and targeted a terrorist cell in the capital, Sana'a.

He further revealed that announcing the number of wanted criminals comes within his ministry's transparency in dealing with the wanted people's file, hinting that this had been deferred over the last few years and this deferral has brought the number of criminals wanted in connection of killing, burglary, highway robbery in 2008 to 10,474.

Al-Misri maintained that security apparatuses have so far arrested 6,014 criminals, while over 4,000 criminals are still at large, hinting the arrest percentage was 57 percent – a pointer he deems to be a sign of success.

Moreover, Al-Misri stressed that his ministry is resolved to arrest all criminals and not to allow any criminal to remain at large, noting these criminals pose risk on the society's stability and security.

He also promised a gratifying sum for anyone helping the security apparatuses to arrest Abu Rawiah, one of the hardened and dangerous criminals, or information leading to conviction.

Denying their connection with Al-Qaeda, he continued that security apparatuses have been capable to arrest this week 50 people connected with different criminal acts including kidnapping, killing, highway robbery, etc.