Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous dens, where they meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online explores one such establishment, Azal Mandi in Dubai, an unpretentious restaurant frequented by Tarek Saleh, a former senior Yemeni army officer in exile in the city.
Unremarkable among the plethora of restaurants in Dubai, Azal Mandi has harnessed its anonymity to attract and retain a clientele on the lookout for discretion. Located a few steps away from Khor Dubai, the inlet that was once used to unload pearls fished in the Gulf, Mohammed al-Arshi's restaurant is one of the spots frequented by Tarek Saleh (IO, 02/06/21) and his eminent inner circle, now based between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This former officer of the Yemeni special forces during the reign of his
