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: UN report says Iran is sending weapons to al Houthis; al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clash in Ma’rib governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab ambushes SNA in Lower Shabelle region; al Shabaab attacks government checkpoint in Middle Shabelle region; al Shabaab launches mortar in Galmudug State
Yemen Security Brief:
A UN Panel of Experts on Yemen report published on January 25 indicated that Iran is sending weapons to the al Houthi movement in Yemen. The report said there is increasing evidence of such support for the militants.[i]
Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in central Yemen’s Ma’rib governorate on February 2. Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in Ma’rib governorate’s Majzar districts on February 1.[ii]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab militants ambushed Somali National Army (SNA) forces near Doonka in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on February 2. The attack killed at least seven people, including two drivers transporting goods to the Somali capital, Mogadishu.[iii]
Al Shabaab militants attacked a government checkpoint in Balad district in central Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on February 2, killing one SNA soldier. The group claimed a landmine explosion in Balad on January 27.[iv]
Al Shabaab launched mortar in Dhusamareb city in central Somalia’s Galmudug State on February 2. Puntland and Jubbaland State presidents arrived in Dhusamareb on February 2 for a conference between the Somali president and heads of state to discuss upcoming federal presidential elections scheduled for February 8.[v]
[i] “Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen”, UN, January 29, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/final-report-panel-experts-yemen-s202179-enar.
[ii] “The Coalition launches airstrikes on Sana’a, Ma’rib, and al Jawf,” Al Mashhad al Yemeni, February 2, 2021, www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/193313; and Amelia Frederking and Lauren Detter, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 1, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 1, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-1-2021.
[iii] “Seven killed in Al-Shabaab’s clash with SNA troops in Somalia,” Garowe, February 3, 2021, https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/seven-killed-in-al-shabaab-s-clash-with-sna-troops-in-somalia.
[iv] “One soldier killed after Al-Shabaab ambush in Middle Shabelle,” Hiiraan, February 3, 2021, http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2021/Feb/181559/one_soldier_killed_after_al_shabaab_ambush_in_middle_shabelle.aspx; Rahma Bayrakdar and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 27, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, January 27, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-january-27-2021.
[v] “Somalia: Dhusamareb Conference Opens Tonight,” Mareeg, February 2, 2021, https://mareeg.com/wararkii-ugu-dambeeyay-shirka-dhuusamareeb-oo-caawa-furmaya/; “Puntland President Arrives in Dhusamareb,” Horseed, February 2, 2021, https://horseedmedia.net/2021/02/02/madaxweynaha-puntland-oo-dhuusamareeb-gaaray-sawiro/; Rahma Bayrakdar and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 29, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, January 29, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-january-29-2021; and “Somalia:3 al-Shabaab militants killed after mortar attack,” Mustaqbal Radio, February 2, 2021, https://www.mustaqbalradio.net/somalia-3-al-shabaab-militants-killed-after-mortar-attack/.
