Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Clashes in Aden kill one soldier, injure three others; U.S. and British embassies in Yemen reopen; President Saleh met with Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense and the Deputy Minister of the Interior to discuss relations; Yemen deploys thousands of troops against al Qaeda

Horn of Africa: The UN World Food Program suspends operations in southern Somalia; IDPs outside of Mogadishu flee mortars; al Shabaab militants reportedly stole $100,000 from Mogadishu company; Puntland security forces uncover bomb plot

Yemen Security Brief

• Violence between security forces and demonstrators expressing their solidarity with al Ayyam newspaper in Aden killed one soldier and injured three others.  The paper is one of eight publications that was shut down eight months ago for its “subversive rhetoric.”[1]

• The U.S. and British embassies in Yemen have reopened after determining that there is no longer a security threat.  Yemen reports that in addition to its security forces killing two al Qaeda members responsible for Monday’s threat, it has arrested five suspected al Qaeda members in the capital and in Hodeida.[2]

• President Ali Abdullah Saleh met with the Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation, Prince Khaled bin Sultan and Deputy Minister of the Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif on Monday to discuss the latest regional developments.  A letter given to President Saleh from Saudi King Abdullah confirmed the strength of the relationship between the two countries and the shared interest in improving relations.[3]

• Reportedly, Yemen has begun a major offensive against al Qaeda in three of its governorates – Abyan, Shabwa, and Ma’rib – and also in the capital.  Thousands of troops have been deployed to conduct counterterrorism operations.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• The UN World Food Program announced the suspension of all aid deliveries to southern Somalia because of “rising threats and attacks on humanitarian operations, as well as the imposition of a string of unacceptable demands from armed groups.”  Around one million people in need will be affected by this decision.  The WFP will be continuing operations in Mogadishu.[5]

• Internally displaced people who had settled outside of Mogadishu have begun to flee from their new homes when mortars began to fall on the area surrounding KM13.  Reportedly, residents of Kahda, outside of Dharkeynely district in Mogadishu, began to flee as well.  It is unclear as to who is responsible for the shelling.[6]

• Reportedly, al Shabaab militants have stolen more than $100,000 from Qaran Hawala Company in Mogadishu.  Witnesses recount that masked al Shabaab fighters attacked the company’s branch in Suqba’ad market and left with the money and a Toyato Hilux Surf (sold in the U.S. as a “4Runner”).  The group was headed by an al Shabaab commander, Yusuf Kabo Kutukade.[7]

• Puntland security forces have arrested several people connected to an attempt to blow up the main port of Bosasso.  Authorities uncovered the plot and are currently holding the suspects in the region’s central prison.[8]