Yemen retracted reports that 16,000 al Qaeda suspects were deported from 2005-2008. The statement that the “Afghan Arabs” were expelled in a counterterror campaign were clarified to indicate the deportees were migrants from the Horn of Africa. A government official also stated that the blockade on food to the 75,000 residents of Bani Hushaish was instituted in hopes that “once they begin to starve,” residents will hand over rebel fighters who are hiding in the area.
