In October 2000 , 17 U.S. personnel died after a suicide attack on the U.S. naval vessel USS '' Cole '' in Aden , which was subsequently blamed on al-Qaeda . After the September 11 attacks on the United States , President Saleh assured U.S. President George W. Bush that Yemen was a partner in his War on Terror . In 2001 , violence surrounded a referendum , which apparently supported extending Saleh 's rule and powers
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Yemen