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: Hadi government forces claim repelling al Houthi attack in al Hudaydah governorate; Hadi government forces reportedly repel al Houthi attack in al Bayda governorate; Hadi government forces claim killing al Houthi militants in al Jawf governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab condemns mosque closures during COVID-19; al Shabaab reportedly attacks foreign military base in Lower Shabelle; al Shabaab reportedly conducts suicide attack in Lower Shabelle; AMISOM allegedly reports 37 COVID-19 cases
Yemen Security Brief:
Forces aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi claimed repelling an al Houthi attack in Hays district in al Hudaydah governorate in western Yemen on May 12. Al Houthi militants reportedly launched multiple attacks on Hadi government forces in al Saleh city and Hays district in al Hudaydah governorate on May 8.[1]
Hadi government forces reportedly repelled an al Houthi attack in Qaniya in al Bayda governorate in central Yemen on May 12. Saudi-led coalition forces supported Hadi government forces by conducting airstrikes on al Houthi positions in Qaniya. Al Houthi militants claimed advancing toward Qaniya on May 11.[2]
Hadi government forces reportedly killed al Houthi militants in al Matma district in al Jawf governorate in northern Yemen on May 11. Hadi government forces claimed repelling attempted al Houthi advances east of al Hazm, the capital of al Jawf governorate on May 7.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab’s Shahada News Agency released an article on May 10 claiming that the COVID-19 pandemic is a punishment sent by God to the “disbelievers.” The article condemned the closure of mosques during the pandemic, stating that attending Friday prayer is one of the most important demonstrations of faith. Al Shabaab’s spokesman Ali Mohamed Rage released a statement in late April suggesting that foreign troops intentionally spread the coronavirus across Somalia.[4]
Pro-al Shabaab media outlet Somalimemo reported that al Shabaab attacked a foreign military base in Ambareeso in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region. Al Shabaab claimed attacking a Ugandan base in Ambareeso in Lower Shabelle in late April.[5]
Somalimemo reported that al Shabaab launched an unspecified suicide attack on a police station in Qoryoley district in Lower Shabelle, killing at least three people. The Somali National Army killed six al Shabaab militants in Qoryoley on May 6.[6]
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) confirmed 37 cases of COVID-19 among its soldiers, according to a local Somali source. The soldiers are reportedly isolating at AMISOM’s Halane base camp in the Somali capital Mogadishu. AMISOM confirmed that a Ugandan soldier tested positive for the virus in late April.[7]
[1] “The joint forces are responding to the Houthi attack in Hays in Al Hudaydah,” Aden Lang, May 12, 2020, http://adnlng.info/news/145667/; and Muhammad Ramadhito and Kalissa Azooz, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 8, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, May 8, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-may-8-2020.
[2] “The latest developments in the fighting in Al-Bayda after the Houthi attack at dawn today,” Al Mashhad al Yemeni, May 12, 2020, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/165957; and Muhammad Ramadhito and Kalissa Azooz, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 11, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, May 11, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-may-11-2020.
[3] “The leader of the Houthi militia has been killed in the Al-Matma front in Jouf,” Khabar Agency, May 12, 2020, https://www.khabaragency.net/news126179.html; and Muhammad Ramadhito and Kalissa Azooz, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 7, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, May 7, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-may-7-2020.
[4] “Sermon Delivered in Somali Mosques in Shabaab-Controlled Areas Identifies Protective Measures Against COVID-19 While Decrying Mosque Closures,” SITE Intelligence Group, May 11, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and “Shabaab Spokesman Suggests Foreign Forces Intentionally Spread Coronavirus in Somalia,” SITE Intelligence Group, April 28, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
[5] Liibaan Jeexoow, “Heavy raid on AMISOM bases in Lower Shabelle,” Somalimemo, May 11, 2020, https://somalimemo.net/articles/12941/Weerar-Saf-ballaaran-ah-oo-lagu-qaaday-saldhigyo-ciidamada-AMISOM-ay-ku-leeyihiin-Sh-hoose; and “Shabaab Claims Mortar Strike on Mogadishu International Airport, Multiple Bombings Causing Over 2 Dozen Casualties,” SITE Intelligence Group, April 23, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com.
[6] Liibaan Jeexoow, “Heavy raid on AMISOM bases in Lower Shabelle,” Somalimemo, May 11, 2020, https://somalimemo.net/articles/12941/Weerar-Saf-ballaaran-ah-oo-lagu-qaaday-saldhigyo-ciidamada-AMISOM-ay-ku-leeyihiin-Sh-hoose; and “Somali army kills 9 al-Shabab militants in southern region,” News Ghana, May 8, 2020, https://newsghana.com.gh/somali-army-kills-9-al-shabab-militants-in-southern-region/.
[7] “AMISOM confirms 37 COVID 19 cases among them Ugandan, Burundian troops,” Goobjoog, May 12, 2020, http://goobjoog.com/english/amisom-confirms-37-covid-19-cases-among-them-ugandan-burundian-troops/; and “AU soldier tests positive for coronavirus in Somalia,” Garowe, April 30, 2020, https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/au-soldier-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-somalia.
