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: Saudi-led airstrikes target al Hudaydah port; al Houthis reportedly develop Yemeni-made missile capabilities
Horn of Africa: Somali National Army forces capture three villages in Hiraan region; Somali National Army forces raid al Shabaab bases in Bay region
Yemen Security Brief
- Saudi-led airstrikes targeted the al Houthi-controlled port of al Hudaydah, al Hudaydah, on May 27. The airstrikes reportedly successfully destroyed a naval military base at the port. Saudi Arabia had stated that it would avoid targeting airports and seaports in Yemen that the international community was using to ship humanitarian aid into Yemen following the end of a five-day humanitarian pause on May 17.[1]
- The pro-al Houthi news channel al Masirah released footage of a Yemeni-made rocket on May 26, named the ‘piercing star’ which the al Houthis have reportedly used to target Saudi Arabia along the Saudi-Yemeni border. The missiles reportedly have a range of approximately 75 kilometers and carry between 50-75 kilograms of explosives.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Somali National Army (SNA) forces supported by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops seized three villages in Bulo-Burde district, Hiraan region, on May 26. A Somali security official said that 11 al Shabaab militants were killed in the clashes.[3]
- SNA forces raided al Shabaab bases in Bardale district, Bay region, on May 26. It was reported that two al Shabaab militants were killed, and SNA forces gained control of the area.[4]
[1] “Saudi-led airstrikes target Yemen naval base,” al Arabiya, May 27, 2015. Available: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/05/27/Saudi-led-strikes-target-Yemen-naval-base-.html
“Coalition destroys a naval base in al Hudaydah,” Arabic rt, May 27, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://arabic.rt.com/news/784154-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA/
[2] “Yemen-made ‘piercing star’ used to target Saudi sites,” Khabar Agency, May 26, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.khabaragency.net/news25715.html
“Houthis bombing Saudis with ‘piercing star’ missiles,” Safa, May 26, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://safa.ps/post/154953/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8
“Missile system 100% Yemeni made ‘piercing star’ targeting Saudi sites,” Youtube, May 26, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3842EnbUmo
[3] “Somali gov’t troops capture villages in Hiran,” Bar Kulan, May 27. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/05/27/somali-govt-troops-capture-villages-in-hiran/
[4] “Somalia: Federal Govt forces attack Al Shabaab base in Bay,” Garowe Online, May 26. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/2740/somalia-federal-govt-forces-attack-al-shabaab-base-in-bay
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