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: ISIS and AQAP militants clash for the first time in Yemen; al Houthi forces claim to down Saudi-led coalition warplane over Sa’ada governorate; Saudi-led coalition warplanes destroy al Houthi rocket-launching pad in Sa’ada governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab attacks KDF base in Lafey area, Mandera county, northeastern Kenya; al Shabaab attacks telecommunications company in Haamey area, Garissa County, northeastern Kenya; Ethiopian rebel group announces temporary ceasefire
Yemen Security Brief
Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) militants killed 13 al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) clashed for the first time in Yemen, according to a July 12 post on an al Qaeda-affiliated Telegram channel. The post did not identify the locations of either attack. Official and unofficial AQAP channels did not comment on the attack.[1]
Al Houthi forces claimed to shoot down a Saudi-led coalition warplane over Sa’ada governorate, northern Yemen on July 12. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al Maliki stated that a Saudi Tornado fighter jet crashed over Asir region, Saudi Arabia during its return from a training mission. Maliki claimed that the jet crashed due to technical failure.[2]
Saudi-led coalition warplanes destroyed an al Houthi ballistic missile launch pad in Sahar district in Sa’ada governorate, northern Yemen on July 12.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Al Shabaab claimed a mortar attack on a Kenya Defence Force (KDF) base in Lafey area, Mandera County, northeastern Kenya on July 13. No casualties have been reported.[4]
Al Shabaab attacked an office of the Kenyan telecommunications company Safaricom in Haamey area, , northeastern Kenya on July 12. Al Shabaab militants claimed to have killed three Kenyan police officers in the attack. The head of the county police denied these claims. Al Shabaab seized a police vehicle in the attack.[5]
The Ethiopian rebel group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) announced a unilateral temporary ceasefire on July 12. The Eritrea-based group stated that the ceasefire is intended to advance peace talks with the Ethiopian government. Ethiopian parliament removed the OLF and two other rebel groups from the country’s list of designated terrorist groups on July 5.[6]
[1] “Pro-AQ group reports 1st incident of clashes between IS and AQAP in Yemen,” SITE, July 12, 2018, https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/pro-aq-group-reports-1st-incident-of-clashes-between-is-and-aqap-in-yemen.html; and Switched,“ Twitter, July 12, 2018, https://twitter.com/switch_d/status/1017447043135131649.
[2] “Saudi Warplane downed in Northern Yemen,” Ahlul Bayt News, July 12, 2018, http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/saudi-warplane-downed-in-northern-yemen_901548.html; and “Agression alliance recognizes the fall of the military aircraft in ASir,” Al Masirah, July 12, 2018, https://www.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=26077&cat_id=3.
[3] "Arab coalition in Yemen destroys Houthi rocket-launching pad in Sadaa," Al Arabiya, July 13, 2018, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2018/07/12/IN-PICTURES-Coalition-in-Yemen-destroys-a-Houthi-rockets-pad-in-Sadaa.html
[4] “Shabaab claims attack on Kenyan security forces, Safaricom company location in Kenya’s Garissa and Mandera counties,” SITE, July 13, 2018, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
[5] “Three dead as al Shabaab raids Kenyan police station,” Mareeg, July 13, 2018, https://mareeg.com/ethiobiafighters-attacked-on-kebridahar-airport-onlf-official-17/;“Shabaab claims attack on Kenyan security forces, Safaricom company location in Kenya’s Garissa and Mandera counties,” SITE, July 13, 2018, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Mogadishu News, Twitter, July 13, 2018, https://twitter.com/Mogadishu_News/status/1017753721760112641.
[6] “Ethiopian rebel group declares unilateral temporary ceasefire,” Xinhua, July 13, 2018, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/13/c_137320432.htm; and “Ethiopian rebel group OLF declares ceasefire in wake of reforms,” Africa News, July 13, 2018, http://www.africanews.com/2018/07/13/ethiopian-rebel-group-olf-declares-ceasefire-in-wake-of-reforms/.
