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 deploys forces to Aden; Islamic State releases photos of clashes with al Houthi forces in al Bayda; al Houthi media claim Saudi-led coalition forces conduct airstrikes in Sa’ada governorate
Horn of Africa: US Under Secretary of State meets with SFG Prime Minister in Mogadishu; Somali special forces attack al Shabaab in Awdheegle town; al Shabaab attacks AMISOM and SNA base outside Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief
The Saudi-led coalition deployed a convoy of armored vehicles to city in southern Yemen on August 6, according to pro-Saudi-led coalition media. This is the second coalition deployment to Aden since early July.[1]
The Islamic State in Yemen released two photosets on August 5 showing fighters in the Qayfa area in al Bayda governorate in central Yemen. The photos were undated and appeared to show Islamic State in Yemen fighters attacking al Houthi forces.[2]
Saudi-led coalition forces conducted six air raids in Sa’ada governorate in northern Yemen on August 6, according to al Houthi media. The strikes are unconfirmed.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met with Somali Federal Government Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in Somalia’s capital, , on August 5. Under Secretary Hale confirmed the United States’ commitment to political reform, economic development, and stabilization efforts in Somalia. He also called for peaceful and credible elections in Somalia’s southern Jubbaland State later this month.[4]
Somali Danab special forces conducted an operation targeting al Shabaab militants in Awdheegle town in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia on August 6.[5]
Al Shabaab militants attacked an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army (SNA) base with mortars in the Elasha Biyaha area on the outskirts of Mogadishu on August 4. The attack caused no casualties.[6]
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[1] “Saudi Arabia is pushing heavy military equipment toward the capital of Aden in the middle of a tense atmosphere between the government and the Southern Transitional Council (Pictures),” al Mashhad al Yemeni, August 6, 2019, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/140980; and “News of Yemen direct today – a second Saudi military force is on its way to Aden,” Hadramout, August 6, 2019, https://www.7adramout.net/aden-time/7117964/%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85---%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86.html.
[2] Elizabeth Kendall, Twitter, August 6, 2019, https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1158716401970012160.
[3] Al Masirah, Twitter, August 6, 2019, https://twitter.com/MasirahTV/status/1158675324319739904.
[4] “Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale Meeting with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire,” US Department of State, August 5, 2019, https://www.state.gov/under-secretary-for-political-affairs-david-hale-meeting-with-somali-prime-minister-hassan-ali-khayre/.
[5] Harun Maruf, Twitter, August 6, 2019, https://twitter.com/HarunMaruf/status/1158674074589192192.
[6] “Somali and AU forces repel an attack outside Mogadishu,” Radio Shabelle, August 5, 2019, https://www.radioshabelle.com/somali-and-au-forces-repel-an-attack-outside-mogadishu/.
