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: UN Special Envoy to Yemen to present finalized negotiations framework in June; al Houthi forces launch Zilzal 2 ballistic missile at Hadi government forces in southwestern al Jawf governorate; AQAP militants kill al Houthi soldier in eastern al Bayda governorate
Horn of Africa: Somali President pledges to create new constitution; UN calls for ceasefire in northern Somalia; al Shabaab kills Somali soldier in Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief
UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths will present a finalized framework for negotiations to the UN Security Council in June, according to a May 15 statement from Envoy’s office. The statement noted that Griffith’s postponed trip to Sana’a has not impeded access to al Houthi movement leadership. Griffiths postponed a visit to Sana’a on May 5 because of an al Houthi political transition following the death of former Supreme Political Council Saleh al Samad.[1]
Al Houthi forces launched a Zilzal 2 ballistic missile targeting Hadi government forces in in southwestern al Jawf governorate, northern Yemen on May 15.[2]
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants killed an al Houthi soldier in , eastern al Bayda governorate, central Yemen on May 15, according to an AQAP support channel. AQAP frequently conducts attacks against al Houthi forces in al Bayda governorate.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Somali Federal Government (SFG) President Mohamed Farmajo pledged to create a new constitution before the 2020 elections in Somalia on May 15. Over 350 government officials met for a constitutional convention in Mogadishu on May 13-15. Somali state officials called for constitutional reforms to address humanitarian, security, and political concerns related to state autonomy. Farmajo stated the constitution will give every Somali citizen a vote, a change from the current 4.5 clan system that concentrates voting power into the four largest clans and their elders.[4]
UN officials called for a ceasefire to end fighting in Tuko Raq, , northern Somalia on May 15. UN Special Representative for Somalia Michael Keating called for both sides to negotiate a political resolution. The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) reinforced SFG President Mohamed Farmajo’s appeal for a ceasefire between Somaliland and Puntland forces on May 15. The U.S. Mission to Somalia urged both sides to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue in a tweet on May 15.[5]
Al Shabaab militants claimed to have killed a Somali National Army (SNA) soldier in on May 16. Al Shabaab often targets Somali soldiers in Mogadishu.[6]
[1] “Statement attributable to the Spokesperson of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen,” Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen, May 15, 2018, https://osesgy.unmissions.org/statement-attributable-spokesperson-special-envoy-secretary-general-yemen-0.
[2] “The launch of a Zilzal 2 missile on the concentrations of mercenaries of aggression in al Ghail, al Jawf,” Saba News, May 15, 2018, http://saba.ye/ar/news496270.htm.
[3] “AQAP claimed to kill al Houthi soldier in al Sawmah district, al Bayda governorate,” Telegram, May 15, 2018.
[4] “Somali President promises to deliver new constitution before next elections,” AMISOM, May 16, 2018, http://amisom-au.org/2018/05/somali-president-promises-to-deliver-new-constitution-before-next-elections/.
[5] “UN, US call for end to fighting in Tukaraq as clashes claim over 30 lives,” Goobjoog, May 16, 2018, http://goobjoog.com/english/un-us-call-for-end-to-fighting-in-tukaraq-as-clashes-claim-over-30-lives/; “United Nations calls for immediate end to fighting and dialogue following clashes between ‘Somaliland’ and Puntland forces in Tukaraq,” UNSOM, May 15, 2018, https://unsom.unmissions.org/united-nations-calls-immediate-end-fighting-and-dialogue-following-clashes-between-%E2%80%98somaliland%E2%80%99-and; and U.S. Mission-Somalia, Twitter, May 15, 2018, https://twitter.com/US2SOMALIA/status/996419494598905858.
[6] Al Shabaab kills a SNA soldier. Telegram, May 16, 2018.
