Mohammed al-Basha told CNN 's `` The Situation Room '' that conversations with AbdulMutallab 's former acquaintances have not yet turned up links to the local al Qaeda group , which has claimed responsibility for AbdulMutallab 's attempt to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day . ` Talks with acquaintances have not yet revealed links to local al Qaeda group . Local al Qaeda group says attempted bombing was in retaliation for airstrikes . The U.S. military has been conducting air strikes against the militants since last month. Al-Basha says Yemen launched strikes but acknowledged U.S. involvement in Yemen .
Talks with acquaintances have not yet revealed links to local al Qaeda group . Local al Qaeda group says attempted bombing was in retaliation for airstrikes . The U.S. military has been conducting air strikes against the militants since last month. Al-Basha says Yemen launched strikes but acknowledged U.S. involvement in Yemen .