Yemeni Lawmaker Sues U.S. Firm Over Alleged UAE-Funded Assassination Plot
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WASHINGTON — A Yemeni lawmaker filed a civil lawsuit in a U.S. federal court on Friday, accusing a private military contractor and its leadership of orchestrating a targeted assassination attempt funded by the United Arab Emirates. Anssaf Ali Mayo, a member of the Yemeni parliament, named Abraham Golan and Spear Operations Group as defendants in the suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The complaint alleges that Golan and Spear Operations Group operated as a private military company conducting targeted killings in Yemen on behalf of the UAE. Mayo claims the defendants planned an assassination attempt against him in 2015 due to his membership in the Al-Islah political party. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction against further operations.
Spear Operations Group is described in the filing as an entity with ties to two U.S. Special Forces veterans. The complaint details a network of operations allegedly designed to eliminate political opponents of the UAE-backed government in Yemen. Mayo, who has been a vocal critic of the UAE's military involvement in the region, stated that the 2015 attempt was part of a broader campaign of targeted violence.
The United Arab Emirates has not commented on the specific allegations. The UAE has historically maintained a significant military presence in Yemen, supporting coalition forces against Houthi rebels. The lawsuit marks a rare direct legal challenge from a Yemeni official against foreign private military operators in the United States.
Abraham Golan, a former Israeli military officer and founder of Spear Operations Group, has not publicly responded to the filing. The group has previously been linked to private security contracts in conflict zones. The lawsuit alleges that Golan directed operations from the UAE and coordinated with local forces to identify and eliminate targets.
Legal experts note that the case hinges on the Alien Tort Statute, which allows foreign plaintiffs to sue for violations of international law in U.S. courts. The filing includes claims of torture, extrajudicial killing, and conspiracy. Mayo's legal team argues that the defendants' actions constitute crimes against humanity.
The Yemeni civil war has drawn in regional powers, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading a coalition against the Houthi movement. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. The lawsuit adds a new dimension to the legal battles surrounding the war, focusing on the role of private military contractors.
Mayo's attorneys are seeking to establish jurisdiction over the defendants, arguing that their operations were planned and directed from within the United States. The case is expected to face motions to dismiss, with defendants likely arguing that the events occurred outside U.S. territory and do not fall under federal jurisdiction.
The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for holding private military companies accountable for actions in foreign conflicts. As the legal proceedings begin, questions remain about the extent of the UAE's involvement and the operational scope of Spear Operations Group in Yemen. The case is scheduled for an initial hearing in the coming months.