Yemen: Protestors injured by government supporters in western port of al Hudaydah

Horn of Africa: AMISOM soldiers jailed; al Shabaab regrouping in southern Somalia; al Shabaab takes Dif border village; pro-government militias targeted by al Shabaab; TFG and al Shabaab fighting in Mogadishu result at least sixteen deaths

Yemen Security Brief

  • Hundreds of protestors were injured after government supporters confronted them in the southern port of al Hudaydah. The pro-government attackers numbering around 10,000 came with weapons to disperse the 4,000 protestors camping in the main square. Police were on the scene to halt the violence with tear gas. Members of the Islah party claim that government supporters set fire to its headquarters in the city and that five party members were injured. [1]
  • Eight female students were injured in Taiz when Yemeni police fired tear gas to disperse protestors.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • For the first time, three Ugandan soldiers who are part of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia have been sentenced to two years in prison for shooting civilians in November 2010 and January 2011. AMISOM force commander Major General Nathan Mugisha said, “The soldiers involved have no face the due process of law and have been punished.”[3]
  • Kenyan security forces report that al Shabaab is regrouping in southern Somalia in order to recapture territory lost over the past few weeks. Locals report that al Shabaab attempted to take over the border town of Elwaq unsuccessfully Monday night.[4]
  • Al Shabaab took control of Dif in the lower Jubba border region after it was deserted by Ras Kamboni fighters. The seizure of the village was peaceful.[5]
  • Al Shabaab rebels clashed with Shabelle Valley militias on Wednesday.  The attacks were part of an anti-militia operation launched by al Shabaab after reports of theft and a lack of security surfaced from the local population. One militia member was killed in the fighting.[6]
  • Sixteen people died from indirect fire attacks on Bakara Market and the presidential palace when al Shabaab and TFG forces clashed in Mogadishu on Tuesday. Other areas of Mogadishu that experienced fighting were Kuliyadda, Dabka junction, Lido beach and Bondhere junction.[7]

[1] Ahmed al Haj, “Witnesses say hundreds injured in attack by Yemen government supporters on camping protesters,” The Washington Post, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/witnesses-say-hundreds-injured-in-attack-by-yemen-government-supporters-on-camping-protesters/2011/03/16/ABYVwcd_story.html
“Government Supporters Attack Yemen Protestors,” AP, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTO5Ubv3z8w4CBnQNgFdWvLn8mSQ?docId=836d7d76a8e64517817784df7086af59
[2] “Government Supporters Attack Yemen Protestors,” AP, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTO5Ubv3z8w4CBnQNgFdWvLn8mSQ?docId=836d7d76a8e64517817784df7086af59
[3] “AU Soldiers Jailed for Wounding Somali Citizens,” AFP, March 16, 2011.  Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hNFQT0SB6frIZQzZLfbjFfzYbwnw?docId=CNG.f04e14c7b0f9c74ef4c8e6ee60bc5e68.51
[4] Mohamed Ahmed, “Somali Rebels Regroup in South, Launch Brief Attack,” Reuters, March 16, 2011.  Available: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE72E0IU20110315
[5] “Somalia’s Al shabaab confiscates peacefully a key village in south,” Shabelle Media Network, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4573
[6] “Al shabaab, gangs clash in southern Somalia,” Shabelle Media Network, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4572
[7]“Deadly shelling takes place in Mogadishu,” Shabelle Media Network, March 15, 2011. Available: http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4540
“Multi-direction battles jolt Somali capital,” Shabelle Media Network, March 16, 2011. Available: http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=4556
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