Troops Arrive in Yemen

About 30 U.S. Special Forces troops arrived in Yemen on Thursday to train forces in that southern Arabian country in counterterrorism, Pentagon sources said.

Elsewhere, U.S. and Indian troops Thursday began their first joint military exercises in years.

The Yemeni contingent is the first of what could add up to 100 troops in Yemen, the sources said.

Yemen is thought to be a haven for the terrorist underworld. Al Qaeda operatives, including some thought to be linked to terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, are believed to have a presence there.

The central government is trying to take control from various tribal factions.

In Yemen in October 2000, 17 U.S. sailors died and 39 were wounded when terrorists attacked the USS Cole, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, in the port of Aden.

Two suicide bombers apparently steered a small boat up to the Cole and detonated explosives on board, blowing a large hole in the warship's steel hull. The Cole has been repaired and recently returned to service.

Meanwhile, India and the United States began joint army war games Thursday in the northern city of Agra with troops practicing parachuting skills.

The exercise, called "Balance Iroquois," comes as India's involvement in a tense military standoff with neighbor Pakistan continues.

Troops from both countries are also planning a joint mountain-warfare exercise in Alaska, the first time Indian troops will take part in war games in the United States. U.S. soldiers plan to train in India again in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare.

Also, in a few days U.S. troops are expected to arrived in Georgia, a former Soviet republic, to train troops there.

The country has asked for assistance in battling Chechen guerrillas who have crossed the border from the Russian region of Chechnya. It also wants help in battling al Qaeda-related fighters in Georgia.

The United States is also providing aid to the Philippines, where troops are providing training and logistical support to Philippine government forces battling Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim rebel group.