Yemen: Coalition forces seize capital of Abyan governorate from al Houthis; resistance forces retake districts in northeastern Ibb from al Houthis; AQAP militants destroy intelligence building in al Mukalla

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab militants attack jail in Hiraan region

Yemen Security Brief

  • Anti-al Houthi forces backed by Saudi-led Operation Golden Arab coalition forces seized Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, southern Yemen, on August 8 from the al Houthis. Three Emirati soldiers were killed during the offensive. The retaking of Zinjibar is a significant blow to the al Houthis, who continue to lose territory in southern Yemen.[1]
  • Anti-al Houthi popular resistance forces seized multiple districts from the al Houthis in northeastern Ibb, central Yemen, on August 10. The resistance forces announced clearing the districts of al Saddah, Ba’adan, and al Radhmah of the al Houthis and allied military forces.[2]
  • Militants from the Sons of Hadramawt, the name under which al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operates in Hadramawt’s capital al Mukalla, blew up and destroyed the National Security Intelligence service building in Fao, al Mukalla, eastern Yemen, on August 9. AQAP militants have been in control of al Mukalla since April 2.[3]  

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Al Shabaab militants attacked a jail in Beledweyne, Hiraan region, overnight on August 10. The Somali National Army (SNA) repelled the attack, reportedly killing three militants during clashes.[4]
[1] “Anti-Houthi forces take strategic city in Yemen, Emirati troops killed,” Reuters, August 8, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/08/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0QD0JO20150808
“Rebels ‘driven out of key city of Zinjibar’,” BBC, August 9, 2015. Available: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33839735
[2] “Resistance announces freeing districts of Ba’adan and al Saddah and establishing checkpoints in the area,” al Masdar, August 10, 2015. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/74225
“Anti-Houthi fighters seize districts in central Yemen,” Reuters, August 10, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/10/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0QF19020150810
[3] “Al Qaeda elements destroy intelligence service building in Hadramawt,” Egypt 24, August 10, 2015. Available: http://24.com.eg/yemen/179861.html
[4] “Somalia: Alshabab fighters raid central jail in central Somalia,” Radio Dalsan, August, 10, 2015. Available: http://www.radiodalsan.com/2015/08/10/somalia-alshabab-fighters-raid-central-jail-in-central-somalia/
“Somalia’s central jail hit by deadly al Shabab assault,” Shabelle News, August 10, 2015. Available: http://shabellenews.com/?p=11526
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