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: Popular Resistance forces seize key military sites in Taiz city; Popular Resistance may be mobilizing in Dhamar; al Houthis attack Labuza Airbase in Lahij
Horn of Africa: Kenyan police name suspected al Shabaab recruiters
Yemen Security Brief
- Popular Resistance forces seized the 35th Armored Brigade and an air defense camp from the al Houthis in Taiz city, Taiz, central Yemen, on August 18. The seizures put the resistance forces in control of two key military installations in the city. It appears that the al Houthis have retaliated to the loss of territory by shelling civilian neighborhoods within the city.[1]
- Popular Resistance forces attacked an al Houthi checkpoint in al Hada, northeastern Dhamar, central Yemen, on August 18. It appears that anti-al Houthi forces are mobilizing in Dhamar after the success of tribal forces in Ibb, bordering Dhamar, in expelling the al Houthis.[2]
- Al Houthi militants reportedly attacked Labuza Airbase in Lahij governorate, southern Yemen, on August 18 and also clashed with Popular Resistance forces nearby in Aqan, Lahij, the same day. A local resistance fighter alleged that the al Houthis are trying to besiege the road linking Labuza Airbase with al Anad Airbase in Lahij.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- A report released by Kenyan police indicated that suspected al Shabaab recruiters Abdifatah Abubakar Ahmed, a planner of the 2014 Westgate Mall attack; Ramadan Hamisi Kufungwa, a former imam at a Mombasa mosque; and Ahmed Iman Ali, a former preacher in a Nairobi mosque, have traveled to Somalia and continue to facilitate the movement of Kenyan youth to Somalia for training.[4]
[1] “Resistance continues to exert control over Taiz,” al Jazeera, August 19, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.aljazeera.net/news/arabic/2015/8/18/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%A8
“Resistance and army restore defense camp and crack 35th Brigade,” Barakish, August 18, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=356838
“Airstrikes on Sana’a and al Houthis shell Taiz,” Sky News, August 19, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.skynewsarabia.com/web/article/768286/%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B2
[2] “Popular resistance carries out first operation against al Houthis in al Hada in Dhamar,” Barakish, August 18, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=356836
[3] “Al Houthis wage surprise attack on Labuza and heading toward al Anad,” al Tagheer, August 18, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.al-tagheer.com/news81727.html
“Resistance foils attack and reveals attack from al Houthis and Saleh forces on Anad Airbase in attempt to control it,” al Tagheer, August 19, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.al-tagheer.com/news81746.html
[4] “Kenyan police name ‘al-Shabab recruiters’”, BBC, August 18, 2015. Available: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33973936
View Citations
