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: Saudi Arabian cargo plane lands at Aden International Airport; popular resistance groups advance towards al Anad Airbase
Horn of Africa: Somali troops seize al Shabaab stronghold in Gedo region; AMISOM claims death of senior al Shabaab leader
Yemen Security Brief
- A Saudi Arabian cargo plane landed at Aden International Airport on July 22, carrying weapons and military assistance for southern popular resistance fighters. Additionally, a Royal Saudi Arabian Navy Officer was aboard the plane. Humanitarian aid will begin being shipped to Yemen.[1]
- Local popular resistance forces are advancing towards al Anad Airbase in Lahij governorate after seizing control of the surrounding area and exercising control of the main road connecting Aden and Lahij governorates. Local popular resistance fighters have stated that they are near connecting with other anti-al Houthi fighters approaching the airbase from the north in what appears to be preparations for a multi-front attack on the airbase.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Somali troops, supported by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), seized the al Shabaab stronghold of Bardhere, Gedo region, on July 22, after six days of fighting in the region. Al Shabaab’s regional leader Sheikh Fiilow stated that the group’s militants withdrew from the town and would move into the Middle Jubba region.[3]
- AMISOM released a statement on July 22 in which they refuted claims that AMISOM troops killed at least 13 civilians in Marka, Lower Shabelle region, on July 21. The statement also claimed that AMISOM troops conducted an operation on July 22 on an al Shabaab training camp near El Hindi, killing five militants, including senior leader Mohamed Dahir.[4]
[1] “Saudi arms shipment arrives in Yemen's Aden airport: official,” Reuters, July 22, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/22/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0PW15W20150722
“Saudi navy chief makes surprise visit to Yemen's Aden: local official,” Reuters, July 22, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/22/us-yemen-security-navy-idUSKCN0PW1DV20150722
[2] “Popular resistance advances towards al Anad Airbase,” al Masdar, July 22, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://almasdaronline.net/article/73639
“Saudi Arms Shipment Arrives in Yemen's Aden Airport: Official,” The New York Times, July 22, 2015. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/22/world/middleeast/22reuters-yemen-security.html
[3] “Breaking: Al Shabaab withdraws from Bardhere town,” Mareeg, July 21, 2015. Available: http://www.mareeg.com/breaking-al-shabab-withdraws-from-bardhere-town/
“Somalia, AU forces enter Bardera town after heavy fighting,” July 22, 2015. Availble: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/3188/somalia-au-forces-enter-bardera-town-after-heavy-fighting
[4] “Somalia: AMISOM refutes allegations of civilian deaths in Marka Town,” Garowe Online, July 22, 2015. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/3187/somalia-amisom-refutes-allegations-of-civilian-deaths-in-marka-town
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