Gulf of Aden Security Review

A regularly updated review of both Yemen and the Horn of Africa covering topics related to security, governance, and militant activity.

January 13, 2010

Yemen: Yemeni security forces report the death of Abdullah al Mehdar, an al Qaeda cell leader in Shabwah; Saudi forces kill Houthis along border; Foreign Ministry spokesman denies reports that al Qirbi had renewed offer for open dialogue with al Qaeda

Horn of Africa: Grenade attack in Hargeisa, Somaliland on police station injures three; Somali central bank accuses al Shabaab of using informal money transfers; twenty people killed in fighting in Beledweyne; mortars kill at least ten in Mogadishu

Yemen Security Brief

  • Abdullah al Mehdar, the al Qaeda cell leader in Shabwah province, was killed by security forces after they had surrounded his house. Clashes occurred between al Qaeda militants and security forces in the district of Maefa’ah, resulting in the arrest of four militants.[1] 

  • Saudi forces reportedly killed hundreds of al Houthi rebels after they refused to comply with a 48-hour ultimatum to the al Jaberi area. The latest death toll of Saudi soldiers in the border conflict has reached 82, with 21 soldiers missing.[2] 

  • A spokesman for the Yemeni Foreign Ministry has denied the report that Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al Qirbi had renewed an offer for open dialogue with al Qaeda militants; rather, he said, any dialogue would be part of a counterterrorism effort adopted by the government.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • In Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, unidentified attackers threw two grenades at and opened fire with assault rifles on a police station. Three policemen were wounded on duty. One man has been arrested in connection to the attack.[4] 

  • The central bank in Somalia has accused al Shabaab of using informal money transfers to fund its operations. The bank is seeking more transparency in the system.[5] 

  • Fighting in Beledweyne has continued for the fourth straight day. Over twenty people have been killed and seventy-five injured in the most recent round of fighting. Reinforcements for both sides are due to arrive shortly.[6] 

  • Shelling in Mogadishu killed ten civilians over the past 24 hours. Islamists and government troops exchanged fire primarily in Hararyale neighborhood in Mogadishu.[7] 

 

[1] “Al-Qaeda Leader in Shabwah Knocked Out,” Yemen Observer, January 13, 2010. Available: http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10017937.html
 
[2] “Hundreds of Yemeni Rebels Killed in Clashes at Saudi Border,” Gulf News, January 12, 2010. Available:
 
[3] “Yemen Didn’t Renew Call for Dialogue with al-Qaeda: Spokesman,” Saba Net, January 13, 2010. Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news202976.htm
 
[4] “Gunmen Attack Police Station in Somaliland,” New York Times, January 13, 2010. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/01/13/world/international-uk-somalia-somaliland.html
 
[5] “Somali Money Transfer Firms Used to Fund War,” Reuters, January 13, 2010. Available: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE60C0CQ20100113?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true
 
[6] “Fighting in Central Town Enters Fourth Day,” Mareeg Online, January 13, 2010. Available: http://mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=14904&tirsan=3
 
[7] “10 Killed in Shelling in Mogadishu,” Mareeg Online, January 13, 2010. Available: http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=14903&tirsan=3
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