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: Ansar al Sharia attacks al Houthis in al Bayda; al Houthi militants kidnap three PSO officers; suspected Ansar al Sharia militants detonate IED in Ibb
Horn of Africa: Ethiopian troops enter Somalia in Togdheer region; Kenya reportedly conducts airstrike in Gedo region; unknown gunmen kill cleric in Hiraan region
Yemen Security Brief
- Ansar al Sharia militants attacked al Houthi positions in Dhi Na’im, al Bayda on March 16. There are no casualty reports available from the conflict.[1]
- Al Houthi militants kidnapped three Political Security Organization (PSO) officers in the capital, Sana’a, on March 17. The al Houthi movement has not released any statement explaining its actions.[2]
- Suspected Ansar al Sharia militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Ibb city, Ibb on March 17. No group has claimed credit for the attack, which resulted in no casualties.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Ethiopian troops crossed the border into Somalia in Buhoodle, Togdheer region on March 16. The forces were reportedly attempting to apprehend a cleric with ties to al Shabaab, but the cleric escaped. Local Somali officials stated that Ethiopian troops acted illegally in entering the town.[4]
- Kenya reportedly conducted an airstrike targeting al Shabaab near the town of Beled Hawo, Gedo region on March 17. The effect of the airstrike is still unclear. This would be the second Kenyan airstrike in Somalia within a week.[5]
- Unknown gunmen killed a cleric in Beledweyne, Hiraan region on March 16. Police apprehended three suspects after the shooting, but there is no indication who carried out the attack.[6]
[1] “al Qaeda attacks al Houthis in Dhi Na’im,” Barakish, March 16, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=280844
[2] “al Houthis kidnap three PSO officers in Sana’a,” al Masdar, March 17, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/69527
[3] “Large explosion in Ibb, no casualties,” al Masdar, March 17, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/69515
“Explosions and burning cars in Ibb,” Barakish, March 17, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=280855
[4] “Ethiopian troops invade Northern Somalia town, one wounded,” Horseed Media, March 17. Available: http://horseedmedia.net/2015/03/17/ethiopian-troops-invade-northern-somalia-town-one-wounded/
[5] “Kenya jets hit Al Shabaab base for the second time in a week,” Dalsan Radio, March 17. Available: http://www.radiodalsan.com/2015/03/17/kenya-jets-hit-al-shabaab-base-for-the-second-time-in-a-week/
[6] “Somalia: Qur’an teacher shot dead in Beledweyne,” Garowe Online, March 17. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/2038/somalia-quran-teacher-shot-dead-in-beledweyne
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