Daily News Briefs

Daily data on security, political, and economic trends in Critical Threats' focus areas.

  1. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 20, 2013

    Yemen: Drone strike kills four AQAP militants in Dayqah, Abyan governorate; drone strike kills two AQAP militants in Rada’a, al Bayda governorate; suspected AQAP militants kill intelligence officer in al Mukalla, Hadramawt governorate; al Houthi rebels, tribal gunmen clash in Bajel district, al Hudaydah governorate; gunmen kidnap Ukrainian doctor in Sana’a; gunmen attack Ma’rib-Sana’a power lines, prevent technical teams from repairing damage; Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh sworn in as Yemeni ambassador to the UAE; U.S. Ambassador to Yemen meets with President Hadi in Sana’a. Horn of Africa: Protests occur, security situation deteriorates in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; soldier shoots at civilians in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; Gedo regional governor and Somali president reject Jubbaland presidential claims; IGAD representatives facilitate Jubbaland presidency talks; senior al Shabaab official denounces Mukhtar Abu Zubair; heavy artillery fired at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu; al Shabaab attacks Somali base in El Barde, Bakool region; unknown attacker throws grenade at Somali troops in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region; Tanzanian police arrest five suspected terrorists in possession of explosive materials; unknown gunmen shoot and kill Kenyan officer in Wajir, Kenya; Kenyan police carry out security operations in Nairobi; Somali and AMISOM troops conduct security operations in Mogadishu; Ahlu Sunna claims killing 12 al Shabaab militants; Somaliland celebrates its 22nd anniversary of self-declared independence.

  2. Pakistan Security Brief

    Pakistan Security Brief - May 17, 2013

    PML-N has 124 seats, PPP has 31, PTI has 27 in final count; ECP refuses to recount votes in NA-122 or re-poll all of NA-250; Imran Khan expected to leave hospital in two weeks; Votes will be re-counter or re-run for eight national assembly seats; Sharif says corruption will not be tolerated; Kayani wants parliament to serve the people and says army will support further re-elections; ANP to sit in opposition and condemns violence that hindered his party's activities; PML-N invited JUI-F to join coalition; Ashraf appeared before NAB for rental power projects case; Fifteen killed in two mosque bombs; NATO truck driver killed; Head of kidnapping ring arrested; Peace body head killed; Market explosions kill four in North Waziristan; Former JI Nazim killed; Five security personnel killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 100,000 tons of wheat to be exported to Iran in payment for electricity; Pakistan to release 51 Indian fishermen.

  3. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 17, 2013

    Yemen: Red Cross workers released in Abyan; Military Committee defuses tensions between Third Mountain Infantry Brigade and Military Police in Ma’rib; oil pipeline in Sirwah, Ma’rib attacked; two men killed attempting to pass wedding convoy in Sana’a; five journalists kidnapped in Habab, Ma’rib; President Hadi meets with Chinese ambassador to Yemen; U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator discusses Yemen’s dire need for aid money. Horn of Africa: Somali government rejects Jubbaland presidential claims, worries about potential fighting in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; al Shabaab attacks Somali military bases in El Barde, Bakool region; al Shabaab launches grenade attack on Somali troops in Baidoa, Bay region; two civilians killed in Burow, Middle Shabelle region; three civilians are shot and killed in Mandera, Kenya; Somali security officials hold security meeting in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region; South Korea appoints ambassador to Somalia; Kenya calls for AMISOM to increase troop presence in Somalia.

  4. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 16, 2013

    Yemen: AQAP asks Muslims to help detainees in Yemeni government prisons; symposium on judicial reform is held in Sana’a; Yemeni government signs agreement with Qatari charity in Sana’a. Horn of Africa: Marehan tribe leader says he is the legitimate president of Jubbaland; car bombing kills Galgudud elder in Hodan district, Mogadishu; Somali forces arrest six suspected militants following a bombing in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle; unknown gunmen kill elder near Gelinsor and Adado, Galgudud region; highway robbers ambush mini-bus between Mogadishu and Afgoi, Lower Shabelle region; Kenyan president convenes security meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.

  5. Pakistan Security Brief

    Pakistan Security Brief - May 15, 2013

     Nawaz Sharif visits Imran Khan in hospital to make peace; Coalition agreed open for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government; Independent legislators join PML-N in national and Punjab assemblies; PTI claims evidence of rigging, holds sit-in against vote rigging in Attock; Seven arrested in connection with ballot rigging; Thousands displaced from Kurram; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan claims responsibility for Quetta suicide attack; Seven shot dead in Karachi; MQM holds protest against alleged vote rigging in Karachi; Musharraf cannot be tried under Anti Terrorism Act; Kayani calls Imran Khan to inquire after health; PPP to reach out to allies; Top U.S. AfPak official to leave Pentagon; U.S. officials reach out to Sharif; British police investigate Hussain's comments.

  6. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 15, 2013

    Yemen: Red Cross spokeswoman announces three, not two, workers kidnapped in Abyan governorate; Yemeni chief of general staff meets with U.S. ambassador in Sana’a. Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab militants ambush Somali troops outside Caracas, Gedo region; car bomb detonates in Mogadishu; armed robbers raid Dahabshil branch in Mogadishu; Islamic World Issues Study Center releases interview with Omar Hammami; Ras Kamboni leader Ahmed Madobe is elected president of Jubbaland; Somali prime minister announces commission tasked with investigating Jubbaland formation disputes; four Somali-American men are sentenced to prison in Minneapolis, Minnesota; European Union Training Mission headquarters moves from Uganda to Mogadishu; Canadian government resumes diplomatic ties with Somalia; Somali ministers of parliament sign motion to remove Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon; Somaliland government bans United Nations flights.

  7. Pakistan Security Brief

    Pakistan Security Brief - May 14, 2013

     Many parties stage protests and sit-ins across the country because of alleged election rigging; PTI has first right to a coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Sharif sets goals for first 100 days; Observers pronounce election free and fair; Independents join PML-N in national assembly; Coalitions being worked out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Punjab governor resigns from politics; Zardari calls to congratulate Sharif; MQM candidate demands do-over of election in all of Karachi; NAB summons Ashraf in RPP case, who fails to appear; Ex-PM Gilani takes responsibility for the PPP's defeat; Written agreement barring women from voting surfaces; Musharraf's judicial remand extended; Multiple dead in violent incidents; Security clampdown in Karachi; PML-N will allow Zardari to finish term; Ambassador Sherry Rehman resigns; Death toll from Quetta attack rises to eight; Economists outline steps for new government; Pakistan sends $500 million of exports to India; Remittances to Pakistan total $11.5 billion, trade deficit falls; Sharif reiterates high hopes for cooperation with India; PM Singh turns down invitation to Sharif's oath-taking ceremony; U.S. Ambassador visits Sharif; Afghan Taliban call border skirmishes a conspiracy; Afghan official says Pakistan leadership change represents an opportunity; David Cameron calls Sharif to congratulate him.

  8. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 14, 2013

    Yemen: AQAP releases detainees in exchange for three militants; President Obama extends state of emergency in Yemen; Yemeni army clashes with AQAP and Ansar al Sharia in Abyan governorate; leader of demining unit in Sa’ada governorate killed in explosion; tribal gunmen clash in Shabwah governorate. Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab militants attack Somali and AMISOM bases in Gofgadud, Bay region; three roadside bombs explode outside the defense ministry in Mogadishu; Somaliland police arrest parents of two al Shabaab leaders in Hargeisa, Wooqooyi Galbeed region; Somali and AMISOM troops clear roadside bomb in Jowhar, Lower Shabelle region; unknown gunmen kill two civilians in Garowe, Nugaal region; al Shabaab spokesman says over 3,000 AMISOM troop deaths in Somalia since 2007; Somali officials warn of online al Shabaab recruiting; U.S. court sentences Somali terrorist to ten years in prison; Kenyan authorities revive Kenyan Police Reservist program in Garissa, Kenya; Puntland passes law to create first constitutional court; Somali government to take control of airspace by end of 2013; Somali refugees move from Dadaab refugee camp to Elwaq, Gedo region.

  9. Pakistan Security Brief

    Pakistan Security Brief - May 13, 2013

     Pakistan votes in historic polls; Sharif's victory speech names key targets for improvement; PML-N likely will not need to form coalition government with rivals PTI or PPP; PTI to become main opposition party and lead Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Nawaz Sharif discusses his priorities, including international ties and economic issues; Sharif names Ishaq Dar as next finance minister; Allegations of foul play in Karachi and Lahore; Voting to be re-run in parts of Karachi; Turnout estimated at 60 percent; PPP strong performance only in Sindh; 29 people killed in Election Day violence; Blasts targeting ANP in Karachi kill eleven; Six killed in suicide attack in Balochistan; Polling in FATA peaceful; EU observers: 64 killed on Election Day; Obama congratulates Pakistan on free election; Reporter Declan Walsh expelled from Pakistan; Indian PM congratulates Sharif and hopes for better relations; Cautious optimism in India over Sharif's win; Karzai congratulates Sharif and hopes for peace and brotherhood; Pakistani stock exchange surges in response to Sharif's victory.

  10. Gulf of Aden Security Review

    Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 13, 2013

    Yemen: Security forces dismantle AQAP cell in Aden; Yemeni Air Force jet crashes in Sana’a; Third Mountain Infantry Brigade ambushes military police in Ma’rib, killing two officers; Third Mountain Infantry Brigade, Murad tribe clash in Ma’rib, leaving four dead; tribal gunmen kidnap two Red Cross workers in Abyan governorate; suspected AQAP militants kill Shia leader in Rada’a; suspected al Houthi militants kill AQAP recruiter in Rada’a; security forces discover, defuse explosive device in Sana’a; security forces arrest three suspected AQAP militants outside Sana’a; naval forces interdict boat carrying weapons; gunmen attack power lines in al Damashqa; feuding tribes in al Dhaleh governorate sign ceasefire; UN Special Advisor Jamal Benomar leaves Yemen; Yemeni foreign minister, Saudi interior minister meet in Riyadh. Horn of Africa: Jihadist calls for Islamist fighter and leaders to save Omar Hammami; grenade attack targets mosque in Hamar Jajab, Mogadishu; grenade attack targets government troops in Heliwa district, Mogadishu; unknown gunmen attack police hangout in Mandera, Kenya; Somali soldiers conduct security operations in Afgoi, Lower Shabelle region; Somali police conduct security operations in Mogadishu; Somaliland police kill one protester in Burao, Togdheer region; AMISOM troops remove roadblocks in Lower Shabelle region; U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Carter travels to Djibouti; unnamed East African fighters release biography on Moroccan al Shabaab fighter; plane carrying Somali ministers of parliament not permitted to land in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; Somali Parliament accuses Somali Interior and National Security Ministry of failing to secure Lower Shabelle region; Puntland president warns against potential infighting in Somali parliament; Somali parliament announces stolen food aid is found; Somali prime minister condemns May 11 car bomb in Turkey.