Yemen warns US military involvement could reinforce Al-Qaeda

US military involvement in Yemen to help fight Al-Qaeda militants could backfire and strengthen the jihadists believed behind the failed attack on a US airliner; where as Pentagon claims that US respects Yemen as it is also a sovereign country just like Pakistan. Any intervention or direct military action by the United States could strengthen the Al-Qaeda network and not weaken it, deputy prime minister for defence and security affairs Rashed Al-Aleemi told a press conference. Our position is clear and we will fight and chase the Al-Qaeda group depending on Yemeni forces and security agencies on our own, he added. While on the other side Pentagon spokesperson Bryan Whitman said that the current US military presence was limited and focused on training missions. Washington's efforts included sharing intelligence with Yemen and providing training and funding to assist them in building up their counter-terrorism capabilities, he added. Yemen is a sovereign government just like Pakistan is and we want to work with government officials in ways that are helpful to them, Bryan Whitman told.