Yemen: U.S. airstrike hits car carrying AQAP militants in Hadramawt; Ansar al Sharia detonates VBIED targeting al Houthis in Shabwah

Horn of Africa: Suspected al Shabaab pamphlets warn Mogadishu residents to avoid SIMAD University

Yemen Security Brief

  • A suspected U.S. airstrike hit a car carrying al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants on August 12, killing five. The car was traveling on a road east of al Mukalla, Hadramawt, eastern Yemen, where AQAP has been governing in coordination with local tribes since April of this year.[1]
  • Ansar al Sharia militants detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) targeting an al Houthi gathering in Ataq city, Shabwah, southern Yemen on August 12. The explosion reportedly killed dozens of al Houthis.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Al Shabaab has reportedly distributed flyers to Mogadishu residents warning them to stay away from the city’s SIMAD University on August 12, after residents reported hearing a blast near the university overnight. The group similarly released a statement following their July 26 attack on Mogadishu’s Jazeera Palace Hotel warning of future attacks on government instillations and buildings the group believes is holding government offices in the city.[3]

[1] “Suspected U.S. drone strike kills five al Qaeda militants in Yemen,” Reuters, August 12, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/12/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0QH1AT20150812
“Five killed in American strike in al Mukalla,” Barakish, August 12, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=356582
[2] “Violent attack from Ansar al Sharia on al Houthis in Ataq and killing of dozens,” al Tagheer, August 12, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.al-tagheer.com/news81561.html
[3] “Blast heard near SIMAD University,” Twitter, August 12, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/Daudoo/status/631172873105874944
“Suspected al Shabaab members distribute leaflets,” Twitter, August 12, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/Daudoo/status/631401613358448640

 

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