Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Masameer district attacked by alleged AQAP militants; fighting continued in Lahij governorate between security forces and Islamic militants; fighting in Zinjibar between suspected AQAP operatives, two soldiers killed, militants take over police base and administrative buildings, 10 arrested

Horn of Africa: Fighting in Hiraan between Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a and al Shabaab, 15 dead; Puntland officers arrest suspected police murderer; Ugandan President visits troops in Mogadishu

Yemen Security Brief

• Masameer district was attacked by alleged Islamist militants on Thursday. The militants briefly took control of the local government and security headquarters before being forced to withdraw by the Yemeni army upon running out of ammunition.[1]

• Fighting continued in Lahij governorate on Thursday between security forces and Islamic militants. Three people have been confirmed dead and at least twelve wounded. The militants took over a police base and council offices in Hawta and ordered all government officials to withdraw from the area or face relation.[2]

• Militants continue to fight with security forces in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan governorate.[3]

• In al Mansura area of Aden, militants ransacked the town. It is reported that ten suspected al Qaeda militants were arrested during the unrest on charges of violence against civilians.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Fighting broke out in Mataban district in the Hiraan region after al Shabaab insurgents attacked an Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a military base. The firefight between the two lasted seven hours and killed 15 people.[5]

• Puntland police officers arrested individuals suspected of killing a police officer in Boosaaso.[6]

• Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni visited his troops in Mogadishu after heavy losses occurred last week in an effort to raise morale. Thirteen Ugandan soldiers were killed while fighting al Shabaab militants.[7]