U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned recent Al-Qaeda attacks in south Yemen and offered to help Yemen in its battle against militants.
The White House said on www.politico.com that Obama's Counterterrorism advisor John O. Brennan had called President Saleh to offer Obama's personal condolences to Yemen after the deadly attacks targeting soldiers and military convoys in the south over the last two days.
President Obama strongly condemned the barbaric attacks that clearly exposed the intent of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula AQAP to kill the Yemenis, who are seeking to stop terrorists from carrying more attacks in their country and other countries, Brennan said.
He told President Saleh that the U.S. is determined to stand by Yemen's government and people to face terrorism and that Obama is committed to providing security and economic assistance to the country.
The call came after AQAQ stepped up attacks against soldiers and military commanders and convoys in Abyan province, killing almost 13 troops and injuring several others.
Terrorists carried out on Friday and Saturday ambushes targeting military convoys in the Lowder district, at a time when Yemen says it is determined to root out militants wherever they exist on its soil.
On the other hand, the U.S. mission in Sana'a has reported on its website that the U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will start a regional trip this week, but Yemen was not on the agenda.
The statement said Clinton's trip will include stops in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, refuting media reports that she will arrive here next Tuesday for talks with officials.