Al-Qaeda's
Yemen-based wing last week claimed responsibility for two US-bound parcel
bombs, which were intercepted and neutralized in Dubai and Britain after a tip
from Saudi Arabia.
Al-Qaeda
in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has previously taken credit for a failed
attempt to blow up a US-bound airliner last Christmas.
"I
think in terms of training and so on there are more things we could do to help
the Yemenis and strengthen their capabilities," Gates said, speaking to
reporters shortly before landing in Australia for bilateral talks.
"And
I think it's fair to say that we're exploring with them a variety of
possibilities along those lines."
Asked to
elaborate, Gates said only: "I think the primary focus would be on
training."
Analysts
say Yemen's government faces colossal economic problems and fierce
anti-American sentiment that complicates its partnership with Washington. Too
big a US military footprint could backfire, they warn, feeding into Al-Qaeda
rhetoric used for recruitment.
The
United States has already ramped up counter-terrorism assistance to Yemen to
$155 million in fiscal year 2010, from just $4.6 million in 2006, a reflection
of the growing threat seen from AQAP, identified as the most active Al-Qaeda
branch outside of its traditional base in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
