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: Yemeni Interior Ministry reports arrest of three suspected al Qaeda militants; al Houthi rebels say fifteen civilians killed by air strikes on their website; humanitarian situation in Yemen deteriorating quickly
Horn of Africa: At least twenty people killed by mortars and artillery shells in Mogadishu; President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed calls on elders to support government; Hizb al Islam says it has no problem with the country’s blue flag; Sheikh Aden Madobe dismisses call for resignation
Yemen Security Brief
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The Yemeni Interior Ministry reports that security forces arrested three suspected al Qaeda militants, including two leading members, in Ma’rib. Reportedly, the arrests took place after clashes between security forces and militants that resulted in the deaths of five soldiers.[1]
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Al Houthi rebels report that fifteen civilians were killed by government air strikes in the Farwa area of Sa’ada province on their website. This cannot be independently verified.[2]
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The International Committee of the Red Cross reports that the humanitarian situation in Yemen has deteriorated significantly with increased levels of violence over the past few months. Aid agencies within the country are scrambling to expand camps and provide enough supplies for the rising number of refugees.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
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Mortars and artillery shells killed at least twenty civilians and injured over forty others in Mogadishu. Islamists opened fire on the presidential palace, and government and African Union troops responded by launching mortars into Islamist-controlled areas, such as the Yaqshid district.[4]
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President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has requested that Somali clan elders work with the government to improve the country’s security situation. The elders welcomed his call for support and consulted with the President. The shellings in Mogadishu, however, have been strongly condemned by Hawiye clan elders.[5]
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Sheikh Ma’alin Ali, Hizb al Islam’s press secretary, said that his group had no issue with the country’s blue flag. Al Shabaab has recently vowed to replace the national flag with a black flag with an Islamic emblem.[6]
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Sheikh Aden Madobe dismissed calls for his resignation from his position as Speaker of the House. Fifty MPs met on Monday and called for him to step down because his term had expired; however, Sheikh Madobe insists that his position is part of the Djibouti peace accord.[7]
