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: Al Houthi movement attacks Saudi targets in southwestern Saudi Arabia; Saudi-led coalition forces kill civilians in airstrike in Sa’ada governorate; Saudi-led coalition claims destroying al Houthi missile sites in Sana’a and Amran governorates; Hadi government forces claim killing al Houthi leader in Sana’a governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab claims IED attack on joint US-Somali forces in southern Somalia; SNA and AMISOM forces seize al Shabaab-held territory in central Somalia; NISA warns al Shabaab is planning multiple attacks in Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief:
Al Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sare’a announced a “large” operation targeting the Saudi military with explosive drones in Khamis Mushait city in southwestern Saudi Arabia on June 16. A Saudi-led coalition spokesman claimed coalition forces intercepted al Houthi drones targeting Khamis Mushait city on June 15. Saudi-led coalition forces previously claimed shooting down two al Houthi drones launched toward Khamis Mushait city on June 1.[1]
Saudi-led coalition forces launched airstrikes in Razah district in Sa'ada governorate in northern Yemen on June 15. The airstrike struck a vehicle, killing 13 civilians including four children. Saudi-led coalition forces claimed shooting down an al Houthi ballistic missile launched from Sa’ada governorate, targeting Najran city in southwestern Saudi Arabia on June 13. [2]
A Saudi-led coalition spokesman claimed coalition forces destroyed al Houthi missile and drone sites in northern Yemen’s Sana’a and Amran governorates on June 17. Saudi-led coalition forces reportedly launched airstrikes targeting an al Houthi movement drone facility in al Sabaha in Sana’a governorate on June 10.[3]
Forces aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi claimed killing the al Houthi leader of Sana’a governorate’s Nihm district in Nihm district on June 17. Hadi government forces claimed capturing several al Houthi-held areas in Nihm district on June 7.[4]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab claimed detonating two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting joint US-Somali forces at Baledogle airbase in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on June 17. Al Shabaab claimed destroying two armored vehicles and inflicting multiple casualties. Al Shabaab previously attacked Baledogle airbase with two suicide vehicle-borne IEDs in September 2019.[5]
Somali National Army (SNA) and Djiboutian African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces seized Luq Jelow village near Beledweyne town in central Somalia’s Hiraan region. SNA forces also claimed seizing War-Holo village in central Somalia’s Galgudud region. SNA forces killed seven al Shabaab militants in Hiraan region in late May. [6]
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) warned on June 13 that al Shabaab is planning attacks on upcoming celebrations marking the twentieth anniversary of the Somali National Peace Conference. NISA also warned that al Shabaab is planning targeted assassinations of humanitarian workers, clerics, and security officials in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for a large-scale attack in Mogadishu in December 2019 that killed at least 80 people.[7]
[1]“Yemeni Air Force Conducts Massive Operation against Saudi Military Targets in Khamis Mushait,” Al Masirah, June 16, 2020, https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=13475&cat_id=1; “Arab Coalition intercepts and destroys Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Asir,” Al Arabiya, June 15, 2020, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/06/15/Arab-Coalition-intercepts-destroys-Houthi-drone-targeting-Saudi-Arabia-s-Asir.html; and Samuel Bloebaum and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 1, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, June 1, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-1-2020<.
[2] Ahmed al Haj, “Yemen’s rebels: Saudi coalition airstrike kills 13 civilians,” Associated Press, June 15, 2020, https://apnews.com/17dca7a0cab9057ee838d4a7f0c92fc0; and Zachary Jaynes and Matthew Eady, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 15, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, June 15, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-15-2020.
[3] “Coalition aircraft target missile sites and drones in Sana’a and Amran,” Mareb Press, June 17, 2020, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lang=arabic&sid=164570; “The coalition targets Houthi sites after a ballistic interception against Najran,” Aawsat, June 17, 2020, https://aawsat.com/home/article/2338311/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86; and Matthew Eady and Zachary Jaynes, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 10, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, June 10, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-10-2020.
[4] “The National Army announces the killing of a senior field commander from the Houthi militia and capture of dozens,” Mareb Press, June 17, 2020, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lang=arabic&sid=164571; and Matthew Eady and Zachary Jaynes, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 10, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, June 10, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-10-2020.
[5] “Shabaab Claims Bombing On U.S. And Somali Forces Near Baledogle Airfield,” SITE Intelligence Group, June 17, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Kevin Phelan and Hennessey Herrera, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 30, 2019,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, September 30, 2019, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-30-2019.
[6] “Government forces, AU troops capture areas in central Somalia from Al-Shabaab,” Somali Affairs, June 17, 2020, https://www.somaliaffairs.com/news/government-forces-au-troops-capture-areas-in-central-somalia-from-al-shabaab/; and Muhammad Ramadhito and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 27, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, May 27, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-may-27-2020.
[7] “Al Shabaab planning multiple bombings and assassinations in Mogadishu-NISA,” Hiiraan, June 16, 2020, http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2020/Jun/178625/al_shabaab_planning_multiple_bombings_and_assassinations_in_mogadishu_nisa.aspx; and “Al-Shabaab claims deadly attack in Somalia’s Mogadishu,” Al Jazeera, December 30, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/al-shabaab-claims-deadly-attack-somalia-mogadishu-191231002343929.html.
