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 accuses al Houthi movement of delaying implementation of Stockholm Agreement; al Houthi fighters target Saudi troops with ballistic missile in southern Saudi Arabia; U.S. Secretary of State meets with Yemeni Foreign Minister in Warsaw
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab shells U.S. air base in southern Somalia; unknown fighter jets strike al Shabaab near El Adde
Yemen Security Brief
The Saudi-led coalition released a statement reaffirming its commitment to redeploying forces from al Hudaydah governorate in western Yemen in accordance with the UN-brokered Stockholm Agreement on February 14. The statement also called on the UN to pressure the al Houthi movement to implement the agreement, which the al Houthi movement and President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government signed in December 2018. The coalition claimed that the al Houthi movement is delaying the implementation of the agreement in order to build up military capabilities in .[1]
Al Houthi fighters claimed to target Saudi troops with a Zilzal 1 ballistic missile in al Ajashar desert in in southern Saudi Arabia on February 15. Al Houthi fighters also shelled Saudi troops in Sawah area in Najran region and al Rabwa in Asir region in southern Saudi Arabia. Al Houthi fighters attempted to raid Saudi positions in al Rabwa but failed, according to al Houthi media[2]
Hadi government Foreign Minister Khalid al Yamani met with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on February 14 during the international summit on Iran in Warsaw, Poland. Al Yamani stated that the Hadi government seeks to resolve the Yemen crisis by “curbing Iranian expansionism.”[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Al Shabaab attacked Somali National Army (SNA) and U.S. forces with mortars at Baledogle Air Base near in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia on February 15. Al Shabaab claimed to kill three U.S. soldiers in the attack, but United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) denied the claim.[4]
Unknown fighter jets conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab militants near El Adde town in in southern Somalia on February 14. The airstrike destroyed three vehicles and killed at least 13 militants.[5]
[1] “A Statement by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Regarding Hodeida Governorate,” Saudi Press Agency, February 14, 2019, https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1885663#1885663.
[2] “The quality operations are artillery shelling and missile launched at enemy concentrations,” Saba, February 15, 2019, http://www.saba.ye/ar/news526681.htm.
[3] “Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al Yamani,” U.S. Department of State, February 14, 2019, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2019/02/289479.htm; Khaled Alyemeny, Twitter, February 14, 2019, https://twitter.com/KhaledAlyemany/status/1096030081871499264.
[4] “Secret US base in Somalia comes under attack by al Shabaab,” Mareeg, February 15, 2019, https://mareeg.com/secret-us-base-in-somalia-comes-under-attack-by-al-shabaab/; “UPDATE: Shabaab claims killing 3 U.S. soldiers in shelling of U.S. base in Baledogle airfield, attacks on Somali soldiers in Lower Shabelle,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 15, 2019, English translation available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Jeff Seldin, Twitter, February 15, 2019, https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1096519947877056512.
[5] “Deadly strike hits Islamist fighters on board in Somalia,” Mareeg, February 14, 2019, https://mareeg.com/deadly-strike-hits-islamist-fighters-on-board-in-somalia/.
