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: Al Houthi forces clash with Hadi government-aligned forces in al Dhaleh governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab attacks SNA base in Middle Shabelle region; al Shabaab claims to attack U.S.-SNA convoy with VBIED near Afgoi; Burundian AMISOM contingent transfers control of military academy in Mogadishu to SNA
Yemen Security Brief
Al Houthi forces attacked the Hadi government’s 30th Armored Brigade and Hadi government-aligned forces at a mill in al Husha district in in central Yemen. Hadi government-aligned forces seized the mill last week when they seized al Husha district. Al Houthi forces also bombed the house of the leader of the Hadi government-aligned Political Security Organization, Major General Abdu Muhammad al Hothaiyfi, in al Husha district. Hothaiyfi is a member of same tribe as a local tribal leader, Sheikh Abdul Jaleel al Hothaiyfi, whose home the Houthis targeted last week. [1]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Al Shabaab militants attacked a Somali National Army (SNA) base near city north of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu in southern Somalia on February 21. Al Shabaab militants fought with SNA forces for an hour, resulting in casualties on both sides. Al Shabaab claimed to seize large parts of the city, but local media reported that al Shabaab was not in control of any parts of Balad.[2]
Al Shabaab claimed to attack a convoy of SNA and U.S. forces with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) on the outskirts of town in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia on February 21. Al Shabaab claimed to kill SNA and U.S. forces in the attack. The attack is unconfirmed.[3]
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) announced that Burundian AMISOM forces will hand over control of the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu to the SNA by the end of February 2019. The Burundian troops will relocate to , the capital of Middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia. AMISOM forces have occupied the academy for 10 years.[4]
[1] “15 Houthis killed during battles with army in central Yemen,” Mosnad, February 21, 2019, http://mosnad.com/news.php?id=43196.
[2] “Al Shabaab attacks Somali army camp outside Mogadishu,” Radio Shabelle, February 21, 2019, http://radioshabelle.com/al-shabaab-attacks-somali-army-camp-outside-mogadishu/; and “Shabaab claims car bombing on joint U.S.-Somali convoy near Afgoye, taking control over large swath of Bal’ad city,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 21, 2019, English translation available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
[3] “Shabaab claims car bombing on joint U.S.-Somali convoy near Afgoye, taking control over large swath of Bal’ad city,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 21, 2019, English translation available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
[4] “Somali army to take over military training institution,” Radio Shabelle, February 21, 2019, http://radioshabelle.com/somalia-army-to-take-over-military-training-institution/.
