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 forces arrest 25 worshipers in Sana’a for ignoring fatwa; STC President issues decree to establish office in New York City; Hadi government forces claim advances in Sa’ada
Horn of Africa: Suspected al Shabaab militants attack Kenyan police near Somali border
Yemen Security Brief
Al Houthi forces arrested 25 people for ignoring an al Houthi religious decree at a mosque in the Yemeni capital on June 4, according to anti-al Houthi media. The individuals were celebrating Eid al Fitr, the last day of Ramadan. Al Houthi religious authorities had previously declared that Eid al Fitr would start on June 5 in contrast to a decree from President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government that it would start on June 4.[1]
Transitional Political Council for the South (STC) President Aydarus al Zubaidi issued a decree to establish an STC Office of Foreign Affairs in New York City on June 3. The STC, an Emirati-backed southern Yemeni separatist organization, recently gained approval from the Russian government to open an office in Moscow.[2]
Hadi government forces claimed to advance towards the center of district in Sa’ada governorate in northern Yemen on June 4. Hadi government forces separately claimed to destroy an al Houthi military position in city in western Yemen.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Suspected al Shabaab militants attacked Kenyan security forces near the Somali border in Fino village in County in northeastern Kenya on June 3. The attack killed one police officer. Suspected al Shabaab militants previously detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a Kenyan police vehicle in Mandera County on June 1. The IED missed its target and the vehicle escaped undamaged.[4]
[1] “Houthis kidnap 25 people who held Eid prayers in Sana’a,” Aden Ghad, June 4, 2019, http://www.adengd.net/news/389297/.
[2] “The President of the Transitional Council issues a decree to establish Office of Foreign Affairs in New York,” Southern Transitional Council Official Website, June 3, 2019, https://en.stcaden.com/news/8669; and “Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 30, 2019,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, May 30, 2019, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-may-30-2019.
[3] “National army launches large-scale assault in Kitaf, Sa’ada,” September Net, June 4, 2019, https://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/04/national-army-launches-large-scale-assault-in-kitaf-saada/; and “National army attacks Houthi militia north of al Dhaleh, several killed,” September Net, June 4, 2019, https://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/04/national-army-attacks-houthi-militia-north-of-al-dhale-several-killed/.
[4] “Suspected Shabaab attackers kill police reservist in Mandera,” Daily Nation, June 4, 2019, https://www.nation.co.ke/counties/mandera/Shabaab-kill-police-reservist-in-Mandera/1183298-5144250-njnpgpz/index.html.
