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: AQAP detonates VBIED targeting military in Hadramawt; Coalition forces make gains at al Anad Airbase; Yemeni Vice President arrives in Aden; Saleh-loyalists clash with al Houthi militants in Sana’a
Horn of Africa: ASWJ arrests six journalists in Dhusamareb; AMISOM accused of killing six civilians in Marka
Yemen Security Brief
- Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) on July 31 outside a military checkpoint in al Qatan, Hadramawt, eastern Yemen. The attack killed nine soldiers.[1]
- Operation Golden Arrow forces continued to fight al Houthis for control of al Anad Airbase in Lahij governorate on August 3. The airbase is a key strategic position for Operation Golden Arrow forces as they continue to press north and seek the liberation of Abyan, Lahij, and Taiz governorates.[2]
- Yemeni Vice President Khaled Bahah landed at Aden International Airport on August 1. Bahah stated that he had arrived in Aden for the liberation of Aden and the normalization of life within it. Vice President Bahah is the highest ranking government official to arrive in Aden since the city was retaken by Operation Golden Arrow forces on July 17.[3]
- Soldiers loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh reportedly clashed with members of the al Houthi movement in Sana’a on August 2. The clashes come at a time when former Yemeni president Saleh is negotiating with officials from the British, Emirati, and American governments to withdraw support from the al Houthi movement.[4]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a (ASWJ) militants reportedly arrested six journalists in Dhusamareb, Galgudud region, between July 31 and August 2 during an apparent crackdown on media in the town. Dhusamareb, the capital of the newly formed Galmudug state, has been under ASWJ control since June.[5]
- Ugandan African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops are accused of killing at least six civilians in Marka, Lower Shabelle region, on July 31, in retaliation for an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on an AMISOM convoy earlier that day. Investigations on the AMISOM-linked deaths of 11 civilians in Marka on July 21 are currently ongoing, as Somali officials arrested two Ugandan AMISOM soldiers in relation to the deaths.[6]
[1] “Al Qaeda suicide bombing kills nine in Yemen,” Al Arabiya, July 31, 2015. Available: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/07/31/-Qaeda-suicide-bombing-kills-nine-in-Yemen-.html
[2] “Operation Golden Arrow forces retake al Anad Airbase,” al Masdr, August 3, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://almasdaronline.net/article/74008
[3] “Yemeni vice president arrives in Aden, fighting continues in country,” Reuters, August 1, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/01/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0Q62ZF20150801
[4] “Republican Guard clashes with al Houthis in Sana’a,” al Masdar, August 3, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://almasdaronline.net/article/3996
“Yemen's ex-president in talks to resolve war-party official,” Reuters, July 23, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/23/us-yemen-security-saleh-idUSKCN0PX1AQ20150723
[5] “Three More Journalists detained in Central Somalia including female Radio Director, Making the Number of Journalists detained to six in 24 hours, as crack down against the Media continues,” Radio Dalsan, August 2, 2015. Available: http://www.radiodalsan.com/2015/08/02/three-more-journalists-detained-in-central-somalia-including-female-radio-director-making-the-number-of-journalists-detained-to-six-in-24-hours-as-crack-down-against-the-media-continues/
[6] “Somalia: AMISOM accused of killing Somali family in revenge attack,” Horseed Media, August 1, 2015. Available: http://horseedmedia.net/2015/08/01/somalia-amisom-accused-of-killing-somali-family-in-revenge-attack/
“Hundreds of people begin fleeing from Marka town,” Shabelle News, August 1, 2015. Available: http://shabellenews.com/?p=10857
“AMISOM soldiers decline to cooperate with committee to investigate Marka killings,” Radio Dalsan, August 1, 2015. Available: http://www.radiodalsan.com/2015/08/01/amisom-soldiers-decline-to-cooperate-with-committee-to-investigate-marka-killings/
“AU soldiers arrested over civilian killings in Marka town,” Hiiraan Online, August 2, 2015. Available: http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2015/Aug/100971/au_soldiers_arrested_over_civilian_killings_in_marka_town.aspx
View Citations
