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: President Hadi integrates southern popular resistance with Yemeni Army; VBIED targets mosque in Sana’a
Horn of Africa: UN Security Council renews AMISOM’s authorization; Somali officials announce that elections will not be held in 2016
Yemen Security Brief
- President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi met with his National Defense Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 28. During the meeting, President Hadi discussed and approved the integration of the southern popular resistance movement into the Yemeni Army following their assistance in retaking the southern port city of Aden.[1]
- Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) Wilayat Sana’a militants detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated within the Lataafah neighborhood of Sana’a on July 29. The attack is reported to have killed at least three people and is believed to have been targeting a mosque frequented by members of the Ismaili sect.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- The UN Security Council unanimously voted on July 28 to reauthorize the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until May 30, 2016. AMISOM’s current authorization is set to expire on November 30. The Security Council also voted to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia until March 30, 2016.[3]
- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed and the Somali parliament announced on July 29 that they believe that Somalia will not be able to hold full elections in 2016 as the federalization process currently mandates. Somali officials have previously stated that the elections timetable is overambitious, but the stalling of elections is nevertheless a setback to the federalization process.[4]
[1] “President Hadi approves the integration of southern popular resistance into Yemeni Army,” Yemen Now, July 28, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://yemennow.net/news670834.html
[2] “Islamic State claims Yemen car bombing: Twitter posting,” Reuters, July 29, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/29/us-yemen-security-blast-claim-idUSKCN0Q31UM20150729?mod=related&channelName=worldNews
“Explosion targets Bohra sect in Sana’a,” al Masdr, July 29, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://almasdaronline.net/article/73848
“Car bomb targets Ismaili mosque in Sana’a,” Barakish, July 29, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://www.barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=356064
[3] “Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in Somalia,” Bar Kulan, July 29, 2015. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/07/29/security-council-renews-mandate-of-un-mission-in-somalia-2/
“Security Council renews mandate of the UN and AU Mission in Somalia,” Mustaqbal Radio, July 29, 2015. Available: http://www.mustaqbalradio.com/?p=33366
[4] “Somalia unable to hold full elections in 2016: Parliament,” Bar Kulan, July 29, 2015. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/07/29/somalia-unable-to-hold-full-elections-in-2016-parliament/
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