Clerics in Yemen warn of jihad if US sends troops

SAN'A, Yemen – A group of prominent Muslim clerics warned Thursday they will call for jihad, or holy war, if the U.S. sends troops to fight al-Qaida in Yemen.The group of 15 clergymen includes the highly influential Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, whom the U.S. has branded a spiritual mentor of Osama bin-Laden but who is also courted by the Yemeni government for his important backing.The clerics' warning goes straight to the Yemeni government's dilemma in cooperating with Washington against an al-Qaida offshoot in the country. In doing so, Yemen's weak regime must avoid upsetting al-Zindani and other radical Islamic figures whose support it needs to stay in power."If any foreign country insists on aggression and the invasion of the country or interference, in a military or security way, Muslim sons are duty bound to carry out jihad and fight the aggressors," the clerics said in a statement.President Barack Obama has said he does not plan to send American combat troops to Yemen, though Washington is increasing counterterrorism aid and training to Yemeni forces to battle al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.Concern about the growing capabilities of Yemen's al-Qaida offshoot increased after the failed attempt to bomb a U.S. airliner shortly before it landed in Detroit on Dec. 25. U.S. investigators say theigerian suspect in the failed attack told them he received training and instructions from al-Qaida operatives in Yemen.The group of clerics also said they believe an international conference on Yemen to be held Jan. 27 in London is intended to clear the way for the Arab country's occupation by foreign nations. The conference is to be attended by the United States and European countries.The group is from the Yemeni Clerics Association, headed by al-Zindani, whom the United States considers an al-Qaida-linked terrorist.Yemeni authorities on Thursday increased security in some areas of the capital, San'a, in an attempt to hunt al-Qaida suspects who escaped a raid this week in the southern province of Shabwa.The Ministry of Interior warned people not to shelter the suspects.On Wednesday, Yemeni security forces killed a suspected militant who was on a government list of wanted al-Qaida figures and arrested four others in a raid on a house in the remote mountainous province.Yemen has stepped up its operations against al-Qaida in recent weeks with help from the United States, which has increased funding and training for Yemen's security forces. Washington says al-Qaida's offshoot in the impoverished country on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula has become a global threat after it allegedly plotted the Dec. 25 bomb attempt.Yemen's government has little control over large swaths of the mountainous nation. Powerful, well-armed tribes dominate extensive areas and bitterly resent intrusion by security forces. Young Yemenis who join al-Qaida — or are simply swayed by Islamic extremist ideology — often get support from their fellow tribesmen.