Al-Qaeda Militants Escape Prison in Yemen

About 57 militants linked to al-Qaeda escaped from a prison in southern Yemen on Wednesday through a 50-yard tunnel, as gunmen attacked the prison outside causing prison guards to focus on the attack instead of the militant’s escape.  Six other prisoners escaped, however it is unclear whether they are also linked to Islamic extremists.  Many of the escaped prisoners had been charged with terrorism and some were sentenced to death.  The escape is significant because it has led to concerns that Islamic extremists may try to take control in Yemen since the uprisings have destabilized the country.

Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs met with acting president Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on the same day of the escape and praised Hadi for successfully implementing a cease-fire with armed factions supporting the opposition.  However, the Organizing Committee of the Popular Youth Revolution, the leading opposition group in Yemen, denounced Feltman’s visit.  The U.S. and Yemeni officials have expressed concern over the continuing loss of government stability in southern Yemen.