Yemen's President vows to destroy al-Qaeda

By Fatik al-Rodaini

SANA'A, May 21, 2012- Yemen's President Abdu Rabo Mansour Hadi pledged on Monday evening to continue the country fight against al-Qaeda militants till to uproot the completely the group regardless of sacrifices.

According to state news agency Saba president Hadi said in a statement that the war on terror will continue until it is completely destroyed regardless of the sacrifices.

''The terrorists wanted to turn the joy of our people with the unity day into sorrow and therefore, the war on terrorism will continue till it is uprooted and defeated completely whatever the sacrifices are."

Early morning, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of an army battalion in Sanaa, killing 96 troops and wounding around 300.

Al-Qaeda's attack was condemned locally and internationally, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned Monday's suicide bombing in Yemen that killed almost 100 soldiers, saying those behind the attack must be brought to justice.

"The secretary general calls on all in Yemen to reject the use of violence in all its forms and manifestations, and expects them play a full and constructive role in implementing Yemen's political transition agreement," Ban said in a written statement.

"This criminal act cannot be justified by any cause," Ban said. "Its perpetrators must be held accountable."

France also utterly condemned the attack saying we extend our condolences to the bereaved and express our solidarity with the Yemeni authorities in their fight against terrorism.

In these tragic circumstances, France reaffirms its full support for the efforts of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to pursue in Yemen a political transition process that is consistent with the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

Russia strongly condemned the perpetrators and masterminds of today’s suicide bomb attack in Sana’a.

Moscow described it as an attempt to derail a transition to democracy after the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled Yemen for over 40 years but ultimately had to step down in the face of a popular revolt.

The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by a suicide bomber in al-Sab'een Plaza in the Yemeni capital, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry stressed that terrorism has no religion nor country, and that al-Qaeda which attacked Damascus and other cities recently has targeted the Yemeni capital of Sana'a, adding that "the blood which was shed in Yemen and the blood that was shed in Syria are one and the same."

The Ministry offered its sincerest condolences to the government and people of Yemen over the martyrs who fell in the bombing, expressing full solidarity and offering deepest sympathies to the families of victims, wishing the wounded a quick recovery, and hoping that security and stability will be restored in Yemen.

The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attack against Yemeni military forces. We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and families of the scores killed and wounded in the attack. This cowardly attack highlights the lengths to which al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula will go to wreak havoc in Yemen and beyond. The United States remains committed to a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes governance and economic development as well as counterterrorism efforts in Yemen. We will continue to support President Hadi and the Yemeni people as they work to realize their aspirations for a brighter and more prosperous future.