Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Complete version of AQAP magazine released; Armed gunmen kidnap judge in Ibb province; U.S. military official visits Sana’a

Horn of Africa: Arrests made following Kampala bombings, third bomb discovered in discotheque; Burundi will not withdraw troops from Somalia, increases security after al Shabaab threat; AU says AMISOM unaffected by Uganda bombings; Hizb al Islam detains 10 people near Mogadishu

Yemen Security Brief

• AQAP re-released its “Inspire” magazine this week after a previous attempt to launch the publication was corrupted by a computer virus.  The magazine includes an article by American-born cleric Anwar al Awlaki calling for the death of U.S. cartoonist Molly Norris, who earlier this year launched an “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day” Facebook campaign.[1]

• Armed gunmen kidnapped a senior judge in Ibb, the capital of Ibb province Tuesday. Local authorities believe the kidnapping is connected to a case the judge was prosecuting.[2]

• U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Mike Hostage arrived in Sana’a Tuesday on a multi-day visit to meet with government officials.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Ugandan police arrested several suspects in connection with Sunday’s Kampala bombings, including at least two of Somali origin. They also discovered an undetonated vest laden with explosives in a discotheque, which suggests suicide bombers carried out the attacks and that a third was planned.[4]

• Burundi said it will not withdraw its troops from Somalia following the bombings in Uganda, in spite of threats against it by al Shabaab. The country is bolstering its security following a direct threat from al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamed Rage, also known as Ali Dheere.[5]

• The African Union said the Uganda bombings will not deter its mission in Somalia, and AMISOM will send its reinforcements to the country soon.[6]

• Hizb al Islam arrested 10 people in the Elasha Biyaha village near Mogadishu during security operations.[7]