Washington, December 30: The Obama administration is likely to intensify pressure on Yemen’s president to focus his security forces against al Qaeda militants.
The likely move follows claims that the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing originated there, according to US officials.
The US is also discussing increasing its counter terrorism support to Yemen from $70 million this year to as much as $190 million in 2010, according to a senior military official.
US security policy toward Yemen had been increasingly focused on President Ali Abdullah Saleh even before the botched attack, officials said.
His government in recent months has shown willingness to coordinate with the Obama administration in counter terrorism operations within his country.
“We are acting in response to threats to the US,” said Denis McDonough, the White House’s deputy national-security advisor, adding that the administration will continue to “address these threats where they arise.”
But Mr Saleh is struggling with two rebellious provinces, dwindling financial resources and a significant weakening of his once-strong influence over Islamists in his country. His courting has been a source of debate within the administration: Some officials are concerned he is more interested in seeking American aid to crush local insurgencies than target Islamist militants.
“President Saleh is not a consistent and rational player,” said another senior military official. “That’s the other major worry we have there: What will he do for himself versus what he’s doing against al Qaeda.”
The Obama administration has praised Mr. Saleh’s government in recent weeks for intensifying its campaign against al Qaeda, which includes two major offenses against suspected terrorist camps earlier this month.
Mr Saleh, 63 years old, reiterated his support in combating terror in a telephone call to President Barack Obama two weeks ago, according to the state-run Yemeni press agency.
But the U.S. has been frustrated by his unwillingness to open a serious dialogue with the Houthi rebels in the north, a move officials believe would allow Mr. Saleh to focus his attention on al Qaeda.
According to the former military official, Mr. Saleh has asked for weapons that he could use against indigenous rebels, including hundreds of tanks and Humvees. Sana’a has claimed the Houthi forces are receiving arms and funding from Shiite Iran. The Obama administration says it has found no such evidence
—Agencies