While the Saudi Cabinet assures all that the border with Yemen is now secure, Saudi media write about the presence of foreigners among those captured and detained in the troubled Jizan border region. The presence of foreigners might mean an escalation of the military action—Afghans and Somalis—or simply being caught up in an event that exploded around them—an Egyptian and Pakistanis.

Saudi Gazette reports, basing its article on materials from its sister-paper Okaz:

Foreign fighters among infiltrators

JIZAN – The military offensive against infiltrators at Mount Dokhan and Mount Al-Doud in Jizan entered a new phase Sunday with armored vehicles advancing in the surrounding areas, according to Okaz newspaper.

Okaz reported Monday that some 200 infiltrators were killed in air and artillery bombardments over Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday after groups had penetrated the border and were cornered in a valley.

Further clashes took place at the villages of Al-Raha, Umm Al-Darq and Al-Qomah, which had been evacuated less than 48 hours earlier.

Okaz also said that an unspecified number of foreign fighters had been arrested, as were some persons who attempted to cross the border dressed in pilgrim “Ihram” attire.

Asharq Alawsat has a more thorough article, noting that among the Somalis are those who are economic refugees who found Yemen a better place to be than Somalia. This piece also notes that the border incursion was not accidental or spontaneous. Rather, information is coming to light suggesting that the attack on Saudi border posts was coordinated and had been planned months in advance.

Asians, Arabs with Huthi Links Arrested- Saudi Military Sources
Mohammed al-Kaabi and Hadi Faqhi

Jizan, Asharq Al-Awsat- A Saudi Arabian military official confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Huthi infiltration of Saudi territory is not something that occurred spontaneously but that this was an operation that had been planned in advance. Evidence of this can be seen in the Huthi insurgents shelling specific targets in an organized manner, such as targets located in a small village in the al-Harith region east of Jizan.

The source added that it has become clear that the Huthi insurgents are working to meet specific and predetermined military objectives, and this can be seen in their shelling of specific targets, as well as in the organized manner in which they engage Saudi forces.

According to military information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, a number of people suspected of collaborating with the Huthi rebels have been arrested since the beginning of the conflict. Those arrested are said to be Asian and Arab nationals. Sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that a number of Pakistani nationals who were working at a bakery in al-Harith were arrested on suspicion of collaborating with the Huthi insurgents. Sources also revealed that an Egyptian national was arrested on suspicion of having ties to the Huthi rebels.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid asks (and answers) a good question:

The Huthis: Iran- Affiliated or Just Propaganda?


November:17:2009 - 08:52 | Comments & Trackbacks (2) | Permalink
2 Responses to “More from the Yemen-Saudi Border”
  1. 1
    M Said:
    November:18:2009 - 03:54 

    I have to really wonder what the Houthis were thinking if the incursions were indeed pre-planned. Saudi Arabia has a capable military, or at least more capable than the Houthis. And as the agrressors the Houthis don’t have the home terrain advantage. Why pick a fight?

  2. 2
    John Burgess Said:
    November:18:2009 - 09:01 

    That the thing that suggests somebody was goading them into it. If X wants Y and Z to fight, it doesn’t matter if what happens to either Y or Z.

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