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.

January 15, 2015

Yemen: IED kills five al Houthi militants in al Bayda; Suspected Ansar al Sharia militants assassinate man in Hadramawt

Horn of Africa: Police officers attacked in Bari region; al Shabaab member surrenders to Somali Government in Luq; Governor of Lower Shabelle announces renewed operations against al Shabaab

Yemen Security Review

  • An improvised explosive device (IED) killed five al Houthi militants in Qayfa, Rada’a, al Bayda on January 14.  Sources believe that the local tribesmen affiliated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) are responsible for the attack.[1]
  • Suspected Ansar al Sharia militants assassinated a man accused of using sorcery in al Mukalla, Hadramawt on January 15.  The two militants were mounted on a motorcycle, which is consistent with Ansar al Sharia assassinations.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Two police officers were killed and three injured in an attack on a police post in Boosaaso, Bari region on January 15. Al Shabaab spokesman Abdul Aziz Abu Mus'ab confirmed that the group was behind the attack.[3]
  • Al Shabaab member Hassan Dhubi reportedly surrendered to the Somali Government in Luq, Gedo region on January 15. Dhubi was operating in the area of Luq, Garbaharey and Burdubo in southern Somalia near the Ethiopian border.[4]
  • The governor of Lower Shabelle region stated on January 15 that the second phase of Operation Indian Ocean against al Shabaab may start soon. The first phase of this operation saw Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops capture several districts from al Shabaab.[5]
[1] “Six Houthi militants killed after bombing in Rada’a,” al Khabar al Yom, January 15, 2015 [Arabic].  Available: http://www.akhbaralyom.net/news_details.php?sid=85420
“5 Houthi gunmen killed in explosions in Qayfa,” Barakish, January 15, 2015 [Arabic].  Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=267915
[2] “Extremists assassinate man accused of sorcery in Mukalla,” al Khabar al Yom, January 15, 2015 [Arabic] Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=267935
[3] Abdiqani Hassan, “Islamist Rebels Kill Two Police Officers in North Somalia Attack,” Reuters, January 15, 2015. Available: http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6N0UU33F20150115
[4] “Senior Al Shabaab Figure Surrenders,” Bar Kulan, January 15, 2015. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/01/15/senior-al-shabaab-figure-surrenders/
[5] “Somalia Readies for Fresh Fttack on Al-Shabaab,” Bar Kulan, January 15, 2015. Availiable: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/01/15/somalia-readies-for-fresh-attack-on-al-shabaab/
“Somalia Readies for Fresh Attack on Al-Shabaab,” Hiiraan Online, January 15, 2015. Available: http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2015/Jan/97757/somalia_readies_for_fresh_attack_on_al_shabaab.aspx
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