SANA'A: According to tribal sources in Yemen, Sheikh Abdel Mageed al-Zindani, a prominent cleric, tribal leader and high-ranking official of al-Islah, the country's main Islamist faction, would has just escaped an attempted arrest by the Republican Guards. Sheikh Zindani who according to the White house is one of Yemen's most influential al-Qaeda leaders still in operation in the country, has had his name plastered on America's most wanted list for almost a decade, with many calls over the years made to then President Ali Abdullah Saleh to arrange for his arrest and deportation. However, Saleh always refused to comply, knowing full well that the move would lead to a violent tribal reaction, especially since Zindani is believed to be heading 3000 to 4000 hardened Jihadists, some whom fought in Afghanistan alongside Ossama bin Laden. Last year, Saleh decided to issue an arrest warrant against the Sheikh after the latter announced his support of the popular uprising demanding the ouster of the regime. Although the order was transmitted to the Interior Ministry, the authorities bided their time, awaiting a clear order form the presidency. Republican Guards told Bikyamasr.com that they had received information yesterday that the Sheikh's car convoy would be driving by the Sheraton Hotel, near the American embassy, ordering that Zindani be apprehended and arrested. The Sheikh, who barely escaped the trap, is said to have driven straight through the US Embassy's security cordon, being now within its ground. Although it was impossible to receive an official confirmation, sources within the presidential palace said that ousted President Saleh had ordered his son, Ahmed Ali Saleh, the Head of the Republican Guards to carry out the strike against Zindani, whom he considers a threat. With Zindani now inside the US embassy, Yemenis are left wondering whether the Sheikh judged preferable to surrender himself or if a deal was being negotiated for his release. Tribal leaders are now warning against severe repercussions as Jihadists are now gathering north of the capital vowing to destroy al-Sama'a, one of the country's main Republican Guards' bases and Saleh' son most strategic stronghold in the region, before heading to Sana'a and claim revenge on the affront suffered by their leader, Sheikh Zindani. It is important to note that only days ago, Yehia Mohamed Saleh, the Head of the Central Security Forces and one of Saleh's nephews wrote on his Facebook page that he wanted to personally behead rebel general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar as well as Sheikh Zindani, calling them both traitors and terrorists. A prominent General who for security reason preferred to remain anonymous told Bikyamasr.com “only hours after an attack was carried out against General Mohsen's base and violent clashed in al-Sama'a opposing tribal fighters an Jihadists loyal to al-Islah, news of al-Zindani's arrest could set things off…We are literally standing on the edge today. I personally would expect armed clashes to resume within hours.”
