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: Hadi government demands al Houthi forces release prisoners before negotiations; al Houthi forces attack Saudi troops in Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia; militants attempt to assassinate Islah party leader and charity official in Aden
Horn of Africa: Kenya deploys additional security forces to Somali border
Yemen Security Brief
Hadi government Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghir announced that the Hadi government will not engage in negotiations with the al Houthi movement until the al Houthi movement releases its prisoners during a July 16 meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller. Daghir also called on the UN to pressure Iran to end its support for the al Houthi movement.[1]
Al Houthi forces claimed its troops attacked Saudi troops in Jizan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia near the Yemeni border on July 13, 15, and 16. Al Houthi forces claimed to seize a Saudi post on al Doud Mountain on July 13. Al Houthi forces also destroyed a Saudi military vehicle on al Nar Mountain on July 15 and two vehicles transporting Saudi and Sudanese troops at Tiwal Crossing near the Yemeni border on July 16, according to al Houthi media. Saudi and coalition sources did not comment on the attacks. [2]
Militants attempted to assassinate an Islah party leader in Aden city on July 17. The Islah party is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Southern political actors and militias have targeted Islah officials and institutions several times in the past. Militants also detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting the head of a local charity’s al Dhaleh branch outside of a bank in al Mualla district, Aden city on July 17.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
The Kenyan government deployed additional National Police Reservists and military forces along the on July 17. Al Shabaab has conducted six attacks in Kenya in July.[4]
[1] “Prime Minister hails US position and support for legitimate government,” Saba New, July 16, 2018, https://www.sabanew.net/viewstory/35867.
[2] Leith Aboufadel, “Houthi forces claim dozens of Saudi, Sudanese soldiers killed near Yemeni border,” Al Masdar News, July 16, 2018, https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/houthi-forces-claim-dozens-of-saudi-sudanese-soldiers-killed-near-yemeni-border/; “Saudi soldiers, Sudanese mercenaries killed, injured in Jizan,” Saba News, July 16, 2018, https://www.sabanews.net/en/news502094.htm.
Leith Aboufadel, “Crazy combat footage of Houthi forces overwhelming Saudi Army troops,” Al Masdar News, July 17, 2018, https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/crazy-combat-footage-of-houthi-forces-overwhelming-saudi-army-troops/; Leith Aboufadel, “Crazy footage of Houthi fighters launching daring military operation in southern Saudi Army, Al Masdar News, July 15, 2018, https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/crazy-footage-of-houthi-fighters-launching-daring-military-operation-in-southern-saudi-army/.
[3] “URGENT: A reformist leader survived an assassination attempt on Aden,” Aden al Ghad, July 17, 2018, http://adengad.net/news/327409/; and “Aden .. The injury of a reformist leader and the attempted assassination of an official from al Hkima,” Yemen Shabab, July 17, https://yemenshabab.net/news/37347.
[4] “Kenya deploys hundreds of security forces along its border with Somalia,” Radio Shabelle, July 17, 2018, http://radioshabelle.com/kenya-deploys-hundreds-of-security-forces-along-its-border-with-somalia/.
