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: Fifteen al Houthi rebels killed by pro-government tribesmen; Yemen negotiates for release of hostages; Yemen arrests eighteen who smuggle Africans into Yemen; three soldiers wounded in Dhaleh on Sunday
Horn of Africa: Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and al Shabaab fight over central towns; bomb explodes in Bosasso; al Shabaab evicts residents of former government buildings in Kismayo; fire destroys homes in IDP camp in Wadajir district in Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief
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Pro-government tribesmen killed fifteen al Houthi rebels north of Sana’a, according to a tribal chief. The al Sagra and al Abu Hussein tribes fought the rebels in al Jawf province in the third reported clash between the tribesmen and rebels over the past month. In the old city of Sa’ada, Yemeni forces have begun sweeping houses to clear the area of suspected insurgents.[1]
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Yemen has begun negotiations with the group that has held a German family and a Briton hostage. They were in a group of nine foreigners who had been kidnapped in northern Sa’ada. Two Germans and a South Korean from their group were later found dead.[2]
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Yemen has arrested eighteen people involved in the smuggling of Africans into Taiz province, most of whom are fishermen. Yemen tightened its security along the coast following al Shabaab’s announcement that it would send militants to fight with al Qaeda in Yemen.[3]
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On Sunday, three soldiers were wounded in Dhaleh. Reportedly, a military position was hit by an RPG, and in response, the soldiers bombarded a nearby mountain.[4]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
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Clashes between Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and al Shabaab militias in Wabho and Warholo villages in central Somali have left over sixteen people dead. The fighting is ongoing and the majority of the casualties are reported to be combatants, since residents have fled the violence. In Beledweyne, at least ten people were wounded in the most recent clashes between Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and Hizb al Islam.[5]
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A bomb exploded in Bosasso, injuring a soldier and a civilian. Reportedly, the blast targeted Puntland’s security forces.[6]
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In Kismayo, al Shabaab has issued a written decree ordering residents to vacate former government buildings. Residents report that they have been living in those buildings since the collapse of former President Mohammed Siyad Barre’s government and that most people have no other place to go.[7]
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A fire in Wadajir district of Mogadishu has destroyed over 180 temporary homes in a camp for internally displaced persons. Over twenty-four children and at least one adult have been injured in the blaze.[8]
