Yemeni authorities charge 9 defendants with links to al-Qaeda

Yemeni sources say up to 200 defendants are facing al-Qaeda affiliation charges Yemeni authorities referred nine defendants to court on Monday, charging them with links to al-Qaeda.Judicial sources described the accused as "serious terrorists" who had participated in a number of atrocities witnessed in south Yemen recently.Meanwhile sources said that mediation efforts between armed al-Qaeda fighters and local authorities in south Yemen failed, despite a truce to suspend confrontations last week.
Sanaa's prosecution authorities referred nine defendants to court on Monday, with judicial sources holding them responsible for "sabotage, killing and looting" in the Yemeni governorate of Aden. The sources added that Yemen's Court of Appeal would issue its final decision against six of the nine defendants accused of links with al-Qaeda, while official Yemeni sources stressed that up to 200 defendants are facing similar charges.
In the same context, tribal sources said that the mediation committee formed to suspend the war between Yemeni authorities and al-Qaeda militants failed to achieve its objectives. They added that talks between the committee, comprising of elders, and local authorities broke down, raising fears of renewed confrontations.
On the other hand, UN Security Council looks set to hold a key session on Thursday to reflect back on a recent visit of delegates to Sanaa. The head of the delegation is scheduled to present a report about his visit and the challenges that impede a political solution to the current crisis.
The UN Security Council would also hear from UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Bin Omar, who will discuss the results of his visit to Sanaa and recent developments related to the national dialogue.