Yemen: Yemeni Army plans operation against AQAP; Human Rights Watch issues report on civilian casualties from drones; security forces shoot man in Aden; court postpones Jihan case verdict

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab shoots journalist in Mogadishu; al Shabaab kills woman in Puntland grenade attack; al Shabaab moves forces in Lower Shabelle region; Somali police arrested six in connection to weekend suicide bombing in Beledweyne; delegations meet in Kismayo

Yemen Security Brief

  • The Yemeni Army announced on October 21 that it is planning an operation against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). They did not release any further details about the operation.[1]
  • Human Rights Watch released a 97 page report on October 22 examining civilian casualties from U.S. drone strikes in Yemen.[2]
  • Central security forces shot and killed a young man riding a motorcycle in Khormaksar, Aden governorate on October 22.[3]
  • The specialized criminal court in Aden postponed the verdict for the Jihan case until October 29.  The Jihan was an Iranian ship smuggling advanced weaponry. The Yemeni Coast Guard captured the ship in the Gulf of Aden on January 23.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Review

  • Al Shabaab militants shot a journalist multiples times in the Wadajir district of Mogadishu on October 22. The journalist survived after eyewitnesses rushed him to the hospital.[5] 
  • Suspected al Shabaab militants killed a civilian woman and injured two other civilians after throwing a grenade into a police station in Galkayo, Puntland on October 21.[6] 
  • Al Shabaab began repositioning forces for attacks against AMISOM bases in Tortorow, Lower Shabelle region on October 22.[7]
  • Somali police arrested six suspected al Shabaab members in connection with the weekend suicide bombing in Beledweyne, Hiraan region on October 22.[8]
  • A combined delegation of European Union, African Union, British, Somali and UNSOM representatives met with Jubbaland leaders on October 22 to discuss an upcoming reconciliation conference in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region.[9]
[1] “Yemeni Army Prepares to Carry Out Military Operation Against al Qaeda,” Barakish, October 21, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=57727
[2] “Between a Drone and al Qaeda,” HRW, October 22, 2013. Available: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2013/10/22/between-drone-and-al-qaeda-0
[3] “Security Forces Kill Youth from Aden on the Abyan Coast and Forbid his Family from Saving Him,” Sada Aden, October 22, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.sadaaden.com/read-news/12130
[4] “Postponement of the Verdict in the Case of the Arms Ship (Jihan 1) to October 29,” Barakish, October 22, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news.aspx?cat=12&sub=12&id=57746
[5] “NUSOJ condemns shooting of a journalist in Mogadishu,” Bar Kulan, October 22, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/10/22/nusoj-condemns-shooting-of-a-journalist-in-mogadishu/
[6] “Grenade blast kills one in Galkacyo,” Somali Current, October 22, 2013. Available: http://somalicurrent.com/grenade-blast-kills-one-in-galkacyo/
[7] “Tense reported from Tora-torow location in Lower Shabelle region,” Mustaqbal radio, October 22, 2013. Available: http://www.mustaqbalradio.com/2013/10/22/tense-reported-from-tora-torow-location-in-lower-shabelle-region/
[8] “Somalia: Police say, six suspects arrested for Satuday’s suicide explosion in Beledweyne,” Raxanreeb, October 22, 2013. Available: http://www.raxanreeb.com/2013/10/somalia-police-say-six-suspects-arrested-for-saturdays-suicide-explosion-in-beledweyn/
[9] “A high level delegation visits Kismayo,” Bar Kulan, October 22, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/10/22/a-high-level-delegation-visits-kismayo/
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