SAN'A, Yemen -- A group of prominent Muslim clerics warned Thursday they will call for jihad, or holy war, if the United States sends troops to fight al-Qaida in Yemen.
The group of 15 clergymen includes the highly influential Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, whom the United States has branded a spiritual mentor of Osama bin Laden but who is also courted by the Yemeni government for his important backing.
The clerics' warning goes straight to the Yemeni government's dilemma in cooperating with Washington against an al-Qaida offshoot in the country. In doing so, Yemen's weak regime must avoid upsetting al-Zindani and other radical Islamic figures whose support it needs to stay in power.
"If any foreign country insists on aggression and the invasion of the country or interference, in a military or security way, Muslim sons are duty bound to carry out jihad and fight the aggressors," the clerics said in a statement.
President Obama has said he does not plan to send American combat troops to Yemen, though Washington is increasing counterterrorism aid and training to Yemeni forces to battle al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
Concern about the growing capabilities of Yemen's al-Qaida offshoot increased after the failed attempt to bomb a U.S. airliner shortly before it landed in Detroit on Dec. 25.
