Washington, May 22 (IANS): US President Barack Obama has said he was concerned about the terrorism threat stemming from Yemen, after a deadly suicide bombing there killed at least 90 soldiers.
"We are very much concerned about Al Qaida activity in Yemen, and extremist activity in Yemen," Obama said at a press conference late Monday after a NATO summit in Chicago.
Obama said the US has established a "strong counter-terrorism partnership" with Yemen and will continue working with it to try to identify Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leadership and operations in that country, Xinhua reported.
Security and stability in Yemen was important for the security of the US, but the war in Afghanistan was a reminder that the US should stay focused on counter-terrorism, and not extend itself in Yemen, he said.
The US has been carrying out drone attacks in Yemen, which have resulted in the deaths of a number of high-profile Al Qaida leaders.