Yemeni Ministry of Interior revealed that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is plotting to launch attacks on gas projects and companies with cars bombs in the southern Yemeni gas-rich province of Shabwa.
In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said that al-Qaeda prepared at least six vehicles laden with explosives and six suicide bombers with the aim of targeting gas sites in Balhaf area of Shabwa.
It revealed that it has received intelligence information indicating that there are six cars packed with explosives on their way to the southern province and that they are planning to target gas sites, particularly Kilo 205 site, where there is many foreigners working.
Thereby, the ministry urged the security and police forces to remain vigilant and on the highest level of alert in order to foil any potential attack. It further urged the security leadership to take the warnings seriously and to apply strict security measures, especially around the gas companies and projects.
The ministry expressed its confidence in the security forces to thwart any terrorist schemes, considering the current terrorist plots as an indicative of the terror network bankruptcy and collapse due to the painful strikes the Yemeni army carried out recently in the southern province of Abyan.
Early this month, al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for some attacks that targeted gas and oil pipelines in Shabwa, saying they were retaliation for the US drone which managed to kill al-Qaeda leader in the province. The attacks have completely forces the LNG company to suspend production for days.
Al-Qaeda has taken control of some towns in the southern part of the country, taking an advantage of the distracted, exhausted government.