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 claims to intercept al Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia; al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clash in Ma’rib governorate
Horn of Africa: Government forces clash with protestors in Mogadishu; SNA claims to kill al Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle region; al Shabaab attacks Somali government officials in Mogadishu; al Shabaab attacks Kenyan military bases in Lower Jubba region
Yemen Security Brief:
The Saudi-led coalition claimed to intercept an al Houthi explosive-laden drone targeting Khamis Mushait city in southern Saudi Arabia’s Asir region on February 18. The coalition forces previously claimed to intercept an al Houthi explosive-laden drone launched toward Khamis Mushait city on February 17.[i]
Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in Sirwah district of central Yemen’s Ma’rib governorate on February 19. Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in Sirwah district on February 15.[ii]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Somali security forces exchanged gunfire with opposition supporters protesting Somalia’s delayed federal presidential elections in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on February 19. The Somali Federal Government claimed armed militias attacked military posts in Mogadishu prior to the demonstrations.[iii]
The Somali National Army (SNA) claimed to kill 20 al Shabaab militants near Qoryoley and Janale towns in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on February 18. Al Shabaab attacked an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base in Qoryoley on February 10.[iv]
Al Shabaab killed two prison workers in Karan and Hawl Wadag districts in Mogadishu on February 18. Al Shabaab attacked an SNA base in Mogadishu’s Wardhigley district on February 15.[v]
Al Shabaab attacked Kenyan military bases in Hosingow, Taabta, and Qoqani near Afmadow district in southern Somalia’s Lower Jubba region on February 18. Al Shabaab attacked an AMISOM base in Afmadow district on February 10. [vi]
[i] “Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi drone,” Emirates News Agency, February 19, 2021, https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302911256; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 17, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 17, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-17-2021.
[ii] “The Saudi aggression coalition sends its mercenaries to Marib,” Al Alam, February 19, 2021, https://www.alalamtv.net/news/5448703; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 17, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 17, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-17-2021.
[iii] Hassan Barise, “Somali Security forces fire on protest over delayed election,” Associated Press, February 19, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/mohamed-abdullahi-mohamed-national-elections-elections-africa-somalia-fd063e7b52ef62f63ebe0ef1039547d9; and Abdi Sheikh, “ Gunfire erupts in Mogadishu as Somali government forces seal off streets,” Reuters, February 19, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-somalia-politics/gunfire-erupts-in-mogadishu-as-somali-government-forces-seal-off-streets-idUSKBN2AJ0MI?il=0.
[iv] “Somalia: At Least 20 Al-Shabaab Members Killed in Army Ops – SNA Chief,” All Africa, February 18, 2021, https://allafrica.com/stories/202102190144.html; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 12, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 12, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-12-2021.
[v] “Officials killed in Mogadishu,” Calamada, February 18, 2021, http://calamada.com/saraakiil-lagu-dilay-magaalada-muqdisho-2/; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 17, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 17, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-17-2021.
[vi] “Abdi Dheere killed in Mogadishu,” Calamada, February 19, 2021, http://calamada.com/cabdi-dheere-oo-lagu-dilay-magaalada-muqdisho-2/; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 12, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 12, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-12-2021.
