Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Yemeni political representatives sign the Southern Issue Solution Document; Houthis and Salafists sign ceasefire in Dammaj, Sa’ada; Salafists accuse Houthis of ignoring terms

Horn of Africa: al Shabaab bans internet in Somalia; car bomb kills former district commissioner in Mogadishu; Somali army and police clear roadblocks in Lower Shabelle

Yemen Security Brief

• The deputy secretary-general of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC), Yasser al Ruainee, reported that representatives from the General People’s Congress (GPC) and the al Rashad Union signed the Southern Issue Solution Document on January 8. The document has also been signed by representatives from the south. Parliament congratulated the NDC and its members on the agreement passed to solve the Southern Issue.[1]

• The al Houthis and Salafists signed a ceasefire agreement in Dammaj in Sa’ada governorate on January 8. Both sides agreed to renounce violence. The al Houthis agreed to withdraw from their positions in the town. The road between Sa’ada and Haradh in Hajjah governorate has reopened after being closed by Salafist gunmen.[2]

• A spokesman for the Salafists in north Yemen, Serour al Wadei, alleged that the al Houthis have prevented the implementation of agreed-upon terms in Dammaj on January 9. He claimed that the al Houthis prevented Yemeni army access to the town and that they have resumed shelling positions.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab issued a statement through its al Andalus radio station Facebook page on January 8 that gave firms 15 days to close mobile internet and fiber optic services in Somalia. The ban would not affect internet access in internet cafes. Those who disobey the ban will be “dealt with in accordance [to] sharia.” Mobile internet became accessible last year and fiber optic cables were introduced to Mogadishu last November.[4]

• A car bomb killed the former district commissioner of Lafole, a district in Lower Shabelle region, in Mogadishu late on January 8. Abdullahi Jama Siyad was killed near the former military parade ground near Tarabunka Square. At least one of Siyad’s bodyguards was also injured.[5]

• The Somalia federal army and police cleared illegal roadblocks in Afgoi district in Lower Shabelle region on January 9. Colonel Abdiqadir Ahmed reported that the operation is ongoing.[6]