Terrorists taking over key Middle East port

Editor's Note: The following report is excerpted from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, the premium online newsletter published by the founder of WND. Subscriptions are $99 a year or, for monthly trials, just $9.95 per month for credit card users, and provide instant access for the complete reports.

Yemen

WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida may be on the verge of taking over the major port city of Aden in southern Yemen, where "powerful explosions" and fighting are reported, according to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

Islamist sources say that Al-Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, is trying to establish full control.

The location of Aden is strategic, because control of the city can affect oil supplies to Western countries. Islamist and independent sources also report that al-Qaida fighters are in virtual control of the Yemeni Emirate of Abyan and Shabwa, where U.S. drones already are appearing.

TRENDING: Athlete files lawsuit alleging she was forced off team for refusing to kneel

Sources say that Fahd al-Qusa, who is considered to be the most important member of al-Qaida after al-Qaida leader Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri, is leading the effort in Yemen.

Qusa has been accused of being behind the bombing of the U.S. Cole destroyer in Aden in October 2000.

Informed sources say that the situation in Yemen is deteriorating to the point that members of the regime of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh are making plans to leave the country.

Al-Qaida took credit for the car bombing of the head of the Yemeni air force, Amin al-Shami.

Yemeni officials are signaling fear that the Saleh regime could collapse, with many beginning to send their families abroad, according to eyewitnesses at the international airport in Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

For the rest of this report and other Intelligence Briefs, please go to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin:

• Saudi Arabia/United States: Riyadh turns to Beijing
• China: Feverishly working on power projection
• Spain/Cuba: Al-Qaida in Cuba?
• Lebanon/Russia: Hezbollah’s first official visit to Moscow
• Russia/United States: McCain warns Putin should 'feel nervous'
• Pakistan/United States: Obstacles to U.S. strategy

Keep in touch with the most important breaking news stories about critical developments around the globe with Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, the premium, online intelligence news source edited and published by the founder of WND.

RELATED: Analysts: Expect attack from Chinese military

For the complete report and full immediate access to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, subscribe now.