Al-Qaeda has suffered setbacks due to US pressure but its presence in Yemen threatens to turn that country into a dangerous base for training and plotting attacks, a top US counterterrorism official said.
Committee.
A suicide attack in AugusThe extremist network has been steadily weakened since its attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, with its haven in northwest Pakistan smaller and less secure, Michael Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told a US Senate hearing.
But he said the group's regional affiliates were a growing threat, citing a branch in Yemen as cause for serious concern.
Saudi and Yemeni arms of Al-Qaeda announced in January their merger into "Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula" (AQAP), and US officials are worried the group is gaining a dangerous foothold in Yemen.
"We have witnessed the reemergence of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, with Yemen as a key battleground and potential regional base of operations from which Al-Qaeda can plan attacks, train recruits, and facilitate the movement of operatives," Leiter said.
"We are concerned that if AQAP strengthens, Al-Qaeda leaders could use the group and the growing presence of foreign fighters in the region to supplement its transnational operations capability," Leiter said before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs t on Saudi Arabia's anti-terror chief Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was carried out by a bomber who crossed from Yemen.
The United States also was concerned about Al-Qaeda's links with Somalia's hardline Islamist group Shebab, Leiter said.
Leaders of Shebab "are working with a limited number of East Africa-based Al-Qaeda operatives," he said.
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