Yemen: The Eid al-Fitr ceasefire between the al-Houthi rebels and the government ended with a coordinated rebel attack on the presidential palace in Sa'ada; Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs Rashad al-Alimi discussed the logistics of aid distribution; report says nearly one-third of the population is below the poverty line; spread of swine flu causes health concern; 160 Ethiopians to be deported from Taiz governorate

Horn of Africa: Al-Shabaab attacked the border town of Yed; Burundi opposition calls for withdrawal of troops from Somalia; Islamist clerics arrest several people in Balanbal town in Galgudud region; U.N. investigates the use of its vehicles in attack on AMISOM forces

Yemen Security Brief

  • The al-Houthi rebels broke the ceasefire proposed by the government with a coordinated attack on the presidential palace in Sa'ada on Sunday morning.� Government sources claim to have killed over 150 rebels and say that an additional 70 rebels surrendered to government troops.� The ceasefire had been declared to allow emergency aid to reach those in need in the northern province of Sa'ada, and the rebels had purportedly agreed to the conditions on Saturday.� In addition to the attack on Sunday, rebel forces also targeted three military checkpoints, taking advantage of the ceasefire.[1]�
  • Rashad al-Alimi, Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs, met with the head of Doctors Without Borders and the local UN and WHO representative to discuss how to get aid to the over 150,000 internally displaced persons.� The international officials were briefed on the ceasefire, which had been called to enable the distribution of humanitarian assistance.[2]
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  • Seven million people, about 35% of the population, are poor; among them, three million cannot provide for their own basic needs.� Yemen has the highest poverty rate in the region according to the UN, the World Bank, and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.[3]
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  • Ten new cases of swine flu were reported by the health ministry, bringing the total number of reported infections up to 165 in Yemen.� Three people have died from the virus to date.[4]
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  • Over 160 Ethiopians have been moved from the Taiz governorate to the Immigrant and Passport Authority in Sana'a in order to deport them back to their homeland.� It is estimated that about 250 Ethiopians entered the country illegally during the month of Ramadan.[5]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Insurgents attacked the town of Yed, on the border with Ethiopia, and killed ten people according to witnesses.� The fighting has been confirmed by both al-Shabaab and the government - currently the town is under government control.[6]
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  • The Burundi opposition is seeking a withdrawal of troops from Somalia following Thursday's suicide attacks.� Twelve Burundians were killed, including the AMISOM's second-in-command, and twenty-nine Burundians have been killed in Somalia since March 2007.� The opposition says that the troops are there illegally.� Currently, only Burundi and Uganda have contributed to the AU peacekeeping force in Somalia.[7]
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  • Several people in Balanbal town in Galgudud region were arrested by Ahlu Sunna Waljama clerics this weekend for cutting plants.� The clerics say that they had outlawed the practice. �The move demonstrated the government-aligned Sufi sect's authority in the region.[8]�
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  • The U.N. is conducting an investigation into the use of its vehicles in Thursday's attack on AMISOM troops.� The Somali government has warned that al-Shabaab is in possession of six more U.N. vehicles already primed with explosives.� The vehicles may have been stolen in May and July during the looting of U.N. camps in Jowhar and Baidoa by insurgents.[9]

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[1] "State-Run Media: Yemeni Military Kills 150 Rebels," CNN, September 21, 2009.� Available: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/20/yemen.violence/
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[2] "Al-Alimi Meets with International Officials," Saba Net, September 19, 2009.� Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news193982.htm
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[3] "Seven Million People in Yemen Poor, Three Million Lack Food," Yemen Times, September 21, 2009.� Available: http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1296&p=front&a=1
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[4] "Health Ministry: 10 Swine Flu-Infected Cases Discovered," Saba Net, September 21, 2009.� Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news194074.htm
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[5] "Over 160 Ethiopians to be Deported from Yemen," Saba Net, September 19, 2009.� Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news193975.htm
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[6] "10 Killed in Somalia Border Fight, Witnesses Say," AP, September 21, 2009.� Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g7OaI4_kjeHA-o4UhlmP7vlWmrrwD9ARNU980
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[7] "Burundi Opposition Seeks Troop Recall from Somalia," Kenya Broadcasting Station, September 20, 2009.� Available: http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=59958
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[8] "Ahlu Sunna Clerics Conduct Operations, Arrest Several People in Balanbal Town," Shabelle Media Network, September 21, 2009.� Available: http://allafrica.com/stories/200909210676.html
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[9] "U.N. Probes Use of its Vehicles in Somalia Bombing," Reuters, September 19, 2009.� Available: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58I0PF20090919?sp=true

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