Yemen: Suspected Ansar al Sharia militants assassinate security officer in Lahij; unidentified militants attack natural gas facility in Shabwah

Horn of Africa: Security forces detain senior police and intelligence officers in Mogadishu accused of aiding al Shabaab

Yemen Security Brief

  • Suspected Ansar al Sharia militants assassinated a security officer in al Hawta, Lahij on March 6. The militants were riding a motorcycle, which is consistent with past Ansar al Sharia assassinations.[1]
  • Unidentified militants attempted to shell a natural gas facility in Belhaf, Shabwah on March 6. The militants fired a rocket at the facility but missed, resulting in no casualties. This is the third attack on oil and gas production in Yemen this week.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Somali security forces have arrested at least 10 senior police and intelligence officers in Mogadishu on March 5. The suspects are accused of aiding al Shabaab in the January 22 attack on a Mogadishu hotel which was hosting a Turkish delegation prior to the visit of Turkish President Erdogan.[3]

[1] “Two gunmen kill a security officer in Lahij,” al Masdar, March 6, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/68987
“Security officer assassinated in al Hawta,” Barakish, March 6, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=280387
[2] “Rocket propelled grenade falls near natural gas export station in Shabwah,” Barakish, March 6, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=280365
[3] “Somalia: Senior officers arrested for al-Shabaab hotel attack,” Horseed Media, March 5. Available: http://horseedmedia.net/2015/03/05/somalia-senior-officers-arrested-for-al-shabaab-hotel-attack/
View Citations