Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 28, 2014

Yemen: Yemeni judges go on national strike; Yemeni security forces kill two AQAP members in raid; assailants blow up oil pipeline in Ma’rib

Horn of Africa: Djiboutian AMISOM and SNA forces conduct security operations in Hiraan region; SNA forces clash with al Shabaab in Lower Shabelle region

Yemen Security Brief

• Yemeni Judge Club members began a national strike on March 26 in response to the kidnapping of Judge Mohammed al Sorori in Hajjah governorate on March 25. A spokesperson for the Club stated that they will not end the strike until Judge al Sorori is released and his kidnappers are brought to justice.[1]

• Yemeni security forces killed two al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants during a house raid in the city of al Dhaleh in al Dhaleh governorate on March 28. In addition to the death of one Yemeni soldier, local officials report that they confiscated a sizeable number of weapons from the house.[2]

• Unidentified assailants blew up an oil pipeline in Wadi Abeida in Ma’rib governorate on March 28. Yemeni security forces have launched an investigation into the attack.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Djiboutian AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) forces conducted security operations in the Aborey and Yasooman localities near Bulo-Burde in Hiraan region on March 27. The security sweeps came a day after al Shabaab attacked AMISOM and SNA military bases in Bulo-Burde. One suspected al Shabaab militant was arrested during the operations.[4]

• SNA forces clashed with al Shabaab militants near Qoryoley in Lower Shabelle region on March 27. The fighting broke out after al Shabaab militants attacked a Somali police station near the town. Although the extent of casualties remains unclear, the fighting was reported to include heavy exchanges of gunfire.[5]