Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen:  Unidentified militants detonate IED targeting al Houthis in al Bayda; Ansar al Sharia militants attack military base in Lahij; unidentified militants bomb oil pipeline in Shabwah

Horn of Africa: Somali security forces launch security operation in Galgudud region

Yemen Security Brief

• Unidentified militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting an al Houthi patrol in al Zahir, al Bayda on March 4. The explosion killed one al Houthi and wounded two others. The al Houthis are involved in ongoing clashes with tribesmen in al Zahir and claim that the tribes are harboring members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Tribal sources have denied these allegations.[1]

• Ansar al Sharia militants attacked a military base near al Hawta city, Lahij on March 4.  The military still controls the camp. Two soldiers were wounded in the fighting.[2]

• Suspected tribal militants bombed an oil pipeline in Asilan, Shabwah on March 4. Reports indicate that the militants are likely the same people responsible for sabotaging a natural gas facility in Ma’rib.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Somali security forces launched an anti-al Shabaab operation in Elbur district, Galgudud region. A Somali official reported that three suspected al Shabaab militants were arrested and that operations would continue.[4]