Potential terrorist attacks feared in Aden and Sanaa Yemeni authorities stepped-up security measures around diplomatic buildings, hotels, parks and churches in Aden on Monday. The intensified security measures were taken in anticipation of any terrorist acts that might target these locations places on the eve of the New Year.
Islamist militants believe that Christmas celebrations are a Western habit inconsistent with Islamic teachings, and a number of preachers in the capital Sanaa had demanded on Friday that the government prevent all related celebrations. Yemeni civil forces, on the other hand, considered this a sort of incitement to target individual freedoms, and an attempt to legitimise violence against foreigners in Yemen.
Meanwhile, the committee in charge of reshuffling the Yemeni Interior Ministry and security services declared on Monday that it had completed its proposals of the new structure, ready to be shown to President Hadi.
Senior sources from Yemen's Interior Ministry told Arabstoday that the president is expected to issue a decree soon that will include the dismissal of security chiefs and the appointing of others whom the president holds in confidence and trust.
On Sunday Yemen's defence minister General Mohammed Nasser Ahmed announced financial rewards for soldiers who manage to thwart any terrorist or subversive attack. It was believed that this was in response to Al Qaeda's call for the assassination of the US ambassador in Sanaa, in return for 3 thousand grams of gold.