Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: ISIS Wilayat Sana’a detonates VBIED in Sana’a; al Houthi movement launches Scud missile into Saudi territory

Horn of Africa: Africa Energy Corporation withdraws from Puntland; Ethiopian troops recover base in Lego, Lower Shabelle region

Yemen Security Brief

• The Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS)-affiliated group Wilayat Sana’a claimed responsibility for detonating a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) near a military hospital in the Shu’aub district in Sana’a on June 30 as citizens gathered to mourn the victims of previous ISIS attacks within the city. The June 29 attack is the third claimed VBIED attack by ISIS Wilayat Sana’a since the beginning of Ramadan.[1] 

• The al Houthis’ military spokesman, Sharaf Luqman, claimed that a Scud missile targeting the al Sulayyil ballistic missile base in Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia, hit its target. The Saudi Defense Ministry has denied this claim.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• The Africa Energy Corporation announced that it is withdrawing immediately from production sharing agreements it made with the Puntland government and Range Resources in 2007 regarding the Nugaal and Dharoor Blocks. The corporation cited the ongoing disagreement between Puntland and the Somali Federal Government as the main cause for its withdrawal.[3]

• Ethiopian troops recovered the military base and blocked key local roads in Lego, Lower Shabelle region, where al Shabaab militants killed at least 50 Burundi African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops on June 26. AMISOM forces briefly recovered the base from the militants on June 29 before retreating due to tactical reasons.[4]