Incident Summary:

03/21/2019: Assailants set fire to the General People’s Congress (GPC) party headquarters in Taizz, Yemen. This was one of four related incidents in Taizz on this date. At least 20 people were killed, 60 people were injured, and 50 people were abducted across the ensuing clashes, which lasted until March 24, 2019. No group claimed responsibility; however, sources attributed the attacks to the Al-Islah Party.

GTD ID:
201903210013

When:
2019-03-21

Country:
Yemen

Region:
Middle East & North Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Taizz

City:
Taizz

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity General People’s Congress (GPC)
Specific Description Headquarters
Nationality of Target Yemen
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 12
US Hostages 0
Outcome Unknown
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Firearms Rifle/Shotgun (non-automatic)
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Weapon Details
Sniper rifles were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the lowest reliable estimates are reported here. Casualty numbers reflect a division of the total number of those killed, wounded, and abducted across incidents 201903210013, 201903210014, 201903210021, and 201903210022. This incident is part of a set of coordinated attacks in which one of the attacks may have been the result of conflict between rival groups.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Al-Islah Party No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 5 Fatalities / 15 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 5
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities Unknown
Total Number of Injured 15
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured Unknown
Sources
"Taiz governor leaves Taiz city, heads for al-Turbah," Yemen News, March 30, 2019.
"Houthi fighters enter Taiz to fight against Abu al-Abbas battalions," Yemen News, March 23, 2019.
"Yemen: Roundup of Political, Security, CT Developments 2000 GMT 22 March 2019," Summary, March 21, 2019.