(Image Source: Yemen Post)

BY BRANDON TWICHELL

Yemen has stepped up its fight against terrorism, sending more than 1,000 troops into an area of the country thought to be a haven for terrorists. U.S. officials believe the targeted group, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has ties to the 2009 failed Christmas Day bombing attempt.

We’re looking at perspectives from CBS News, CNN, The Examiner and the Yemen Post.

On CBS’ The Early Show - terrorism expert Bob Orr gives some background information about the targeted terror group.

“It is one of the al Qaeda franchises. It’s relatively new. This group has been reconstituted about two years ago. It’s in Yemen. It’s called al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. And it is lethal in that they have already been able to reach out with attacks. This is a group that’s not quite as large or organized or well known as the bin Laden al Qaeda.”

Yemen estimates there are some 400 al Qaeda militants active in the country. U.S. officials say Anwar al-Awlaki in particular is the driving force behind the group’s expansion. Awlaki’s sermons were attended by three 9/11 hijackers, as well as Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. (Al Jazeera)

Yemen isn’t saying it’s targeting him specifically -- but a CNN correspondent is skeptical. He asks Yemen’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security about the operation’s target -- but is told Awlaki isn’t part of the plan.

JAMJOOM: “There have been reports that Anwar al-Awlaki may have been surrounding in Shabwa right now. Can you tell us is he a target of this oiperation and has he in fact been surrounded?”
RASHAD AL-ALIMI: “We have information that a specific number of al Qaeda militants are hiding. We also have their names. But Anwar Al-Awlaki isn’t among them. That’s for sure.”

But an article for the Examiner suggests that’s a bit misleading -- given the facts.

“...the joint coalition of Yemeni tribal leaders and government forces move into the Awalek region of Shabwa province, home of Anwar al-Awlaki's tribe and center of AQAP's operations.  ...the operation highlighted in the area controlled by al-Awlaki's constituents, will hopefully bring him to the surface for capture.”

Still - according to the Yemen Post, the foreign minister is trying to better Yemen’s image -- saying al Qaeda in Yemen isn’t any worse than in other countries where al Qaeda operates.

“Unfortunately, [the] media is exaggerating about Al-Qaeda and the situation in Yemen as some are trying to picture Al-Qaeda as a factor destabilizing the country.”

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