Yemeni Parliamentarian Files Suit Over Alleged Assassination Attempt

Anssaf Ali Mayo, a prominent Yemeni lawmaker belonging to the al-Islah party, has initiated legal action in a U.S. federal court. The lawsuit targets former American special forces members, alleging they acted as mercenaries hired by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to carry out his targeted killing.

This legal challenge centers on the alleged attempt on Mayo's life but carries broader implications. It raises significant questions regarding the involvement of the UAE in Yemen's civil war and the activities of highly trained former U.S. military personnel operating abroad.

The Defendants and Allegations

The suit names three individuals: Israeli-Hungarian Abraham Golan, and Americans Isaac Gilmore and Dale Comstock. These men were reportedly executives or employees of Spear Operations Group, a U.S.-based private military company.

Mayo is suing the defendants for serious charges, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and attempted extrajudicial killing. The core allegation is that the UAE contracted Spear to execute a series of assassinations against perceived political adversaries within Yemen, with Mayo being one of the targets.

Court documents suggest the financial arrangement involved the UAE paying Spear approximately $1.5 million monthly, supplemented by bonuses for successful targeted killings.

Former U.S. Personnel Accused of Selling Skills

Ela Matthews from the Center for Justice & Accountability, representing Mayo, highlighted the background of the accused operatives. She stated that many employed by Spear were former U.S. Special Forces, including Navy SEALs and Green Berets, trained at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.

Matthews further asserted that these individuals utilized their specialized military expertise to market an assassination program to the highest bidder. She confirmed their attempt to assassinate Mayo, who is a sitting politician in Yemen.

Details of the Alleged Attack

Court filings describe the alleged incident where the "Spear Assassination Team tracked Plaintiff to his political party's headquarters and attempted to assassinate him by detonating a powerful explosive device on the building's front door." This incident reportedly occurred in 2015, the same year Golan allegedly founded Spear Operations Group.

Mayo recounted the events, stating he was at his office in Aden discussing politics with journalists when he was advised to leave due to a disturbance near a bank. He recalled hearing two explosions just before reaching his home.

Initially, Mayo dismissed the blasts as clashes between armed groups common in Yemen at the time. However, later that evening, a fellow parliamentarian alerted him after reading online reports claiming Mayo had been assassinated.

Aftermath and Legal Pursuit

Mayo eventually learned the first explosion was a bomb placed specifically at his office door, intended for him. Following the attempt, he fled Yemen and has since lived in exile in Saudi Arabia.

Evidence presented includes drone footage from the alleged operation and statements from Spear's founder, Golan, who reportedly confirmed running a UAE-sanctioned assassination program in Yemen. Gilmore allegedly told the BBC that the UAE provided Spear with target information cards, including one for Mayo.

Mayo stated that the experience has caused lasting psychological and social distress, impacting his political activities. He views the lawsuit as a necessary step to seek justice and compensation for the toll the alleged attempt has taken on him and his family.