Gulf of Aden Security Review
A regularly updated review of both Yemen and the Horn of Africa covering topics related to security, governance, and militant activity.
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition forces announce unilateral cease-fire in Yemen; STC forces detain Saudi-led coalition forces in Lahij governorate
Horn of Africa: Islamic State overruns Mozambican Army post in northern Mozambique; landmine kills civilians in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al Maliki announced on April 8 a unilateral two-week cease-fire in Yemen to start on April 9. Maliki said that the cease-fire is intended to support UN peace efforts in Yemen and prevent the spread of coronavirus. Saudi officials claimed that with UN support the cease-fire could lead to a permanent one in Yemen. Saudi-led coalition forces and the al Houthi militants accused each other of launching attacks after the cease-fire’s announcement. Hadi’s Minister of Information accused al Houthi militants of launching ballistic missiles on a Hadi government compound in Ma’rib governorate in northern Yemen and bombing Hadi government areas in al Hudaydah governorate in western Yemen on April 8. Al Houthi militants accused Saud-led coalition forces of launching airstrikes on several areas in Yemen, including Sa’ada and al Bayda governorate on April 8. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the warring parties on March 25 to implement an immediate cease-fire in Yemen to deescalate the conflict and prevent a potential coronavirus outbreak.[1]
United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed Transitional Political Council of the South (STC) forces reportedly detained Saudi-led coalition forces in Yafei district in Lahij governorate in southern Yemen. The detained Saudi-led coalition forces were en route to support Hadi government forces fighting al Houthi militants in al Bayda governorate, north of Lahij. UAE-backed STC forces reportedly redeployed to Abyan governorate from neighboring Aden governorate in southern Yemen in late March.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
The Islamic State’s Central Africa Province claimed on April 7 overrunning a Mozambican Army post in Muidumbe in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province on April 6. The militants held the town’s residents hostage before burning down a local church, according to local sources. The Islamic State claimed attacks on Mozambican Army installations in Cabo Delgado province in late March.[3]
A landmine explosion killed four civilians and injured two more near Awdheegle in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on April 9. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device targeting Somali National Army forces near Awdheegle on April 1.[4]
[1] “Coalition ceasefire to help combat coronavirus begins,” BBC, April 9, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52224358; and Pamela Makadsi and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 27, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 27, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-27-2020; and “The houthis are responding to the coalition truce by bombing four Yemeni cities,” Al Bawaba, April 9, 2020, https://www.albawaba.com/ar/أخبار/الحوثيون-يردون-على-هدنة-التحالف-بقصف-أربعة-مدن-يمنية-1349788; and “Saudi-led coalition warplanes strike positions in Yemen despite truce announcement,” Tasnim News Agency, April 9, 2020, https://tn.ai/2239868.
[2] “UAE-backed forces detain Saudi reinforcements,” Middle East Monitor, April 9, 2020, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200409-yemen-uae-backed-forces-detain-saudi-reinforcements/; and Pamela Makadsi and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 23, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 23, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-23-2020.
[3] “ISCAP Claims Forcing Mozambican Army Withdrawal from Muidumbe Due to Attack,” SITE Intelligence Group, April 7, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; Iain Esau, “Islamists attack multiple villages in northern Mozambique,” Upstream, April 8, 2020, https://www.upstreamonline.com/politics/islamists-attack-multiple-villages-in-northern-mozambique/2-1-790113; and Pamela Makadsi and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 26, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 26, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-26-2020.
[4] “Landmine blast in Somalia kills 4 civilians, including mother and daughter,” Garowe, April 9, 2020, https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/landmine-blast-in-somalia-kills-4-civilians-including-mother-and-daughter; and “Shabaab Claims Multiple Assassinations, Bombings in 2nd Consecutive Week of Frequent Military Activity,” SITE Intelligence Group, April 2, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
