Al Qaeda Prisoners Escape by Digging Underground Tunnel
Up to 15 Al Qaida prisoners convicted on terrorism charges, escaped Monday from a Yemeni jail in the port city of Aden, according to officials.
Members of Al-Qaida, five of which were sentenced to death, dug a small underground tunnel through which they escaped the Central Security prison. Officials reported that the escapees encountered no government resistance.
According to the Yemen security brief, prisoners were members of Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
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Security checkpoints were established as roads to all main streets leading to Aden were closed following the escape. CNN reported that some citizens complained of excessive force by security.
Khaled Mansoor, a bus driver in Aden stated: “The forces were treating us as if we are criminals, at times making threats to anyone who asks them.”
Yemen has suffered political unrest since January after demonstrations called for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. On Nov. 23 Saleh signed an agreement, which immediately transferred his power to his vice president.
Ongoing violence persists throughout the region, in part due to Saleh’s lack of commitment to the agreement. Demands have now been made for Saleh to face trial.
