Yemen clerics in jihad threat
Friday, Jan 15, 2010 Gulf News Dubai A group of Yemeni clerics yesterday called for jihad against foreign occupation, as the government declared open war on Al Qaida and warned its citizens against aiding the global terrorist group. "Security forces are launching a wide campaign against Al Qaida elements," a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "If any party insists on aggression, or invades the country, then according to Islam, jihad becomes obligatory," said a statement signed by 150 clerics and read at a news conference in the capital Sana'a. The clerics also rejected "any security or military agreement or cooperation [between Yemen and] any foreign party if it violates Islamic Sharia" and "setting up [of] any military bases in Yemen, or in its territorial waters". The group also said it believes an international conference on Yemen, to be held on January 27 in London, was intended to clear the w