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 militants fired rockets at Saudi military sites along the Saudi-Yemeni border; Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government in exile releases statement on UN-sponsored dialogue in Geneva
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab announces death of senior member; unknown gunmen kill Puntland official in Bari region
Yemen Security Brief
- Al Houthi militants fired rockets at Saudi military sites in Dharan, Asir, Saudi Arabia, on May 27. The attack reportedly killed two Saudi border guards and wounded five others.[1]
- Yemeni foreign minister Riyadh Yassin released a statement emphasizing the Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government’s support for and intended attendance at the UN-sponsored Geneva Convention. Yassin referred to the Geneva Convention as a means of implementing UN resolution 2216 in Yemen, after which Hadi’s government would hold larger, more inclusive Yemeni dialogue within Yemen or a GCC country.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Al Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamed Rage, also known as Ali Dhere, announced on May 28 that senior al Shabaab member Hassan Abdullah Hersi “al Turki” had died in Hargeisa Yarey, Middle Jubba region. The cause of death was not revealed. Al Turki was wanted by the U.S. due to his ties to Osama bin Laden and was reportedly linked to the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenyan and Tanzania.[3]
- Unknown gunmen killed a Puntland official near Boosaaso, Bari region on May 27. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but al Shabaab has conducted similar attacks targeting government officials in the past.[4]
[1] “Two soldiers killed in Dharan by al Houthi artillery fire,” al Masdar, May 28, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/72033
“Houthis continue bombing Najran and kill two soldiers,” al Tagheer, May 28, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://al-tagheer.com/news79874.html
“Yemen border strikes kill two Saudis, Yemen death toll near 2,000,” Reuters, May 28, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/28/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0OD1GD20150528
[2] “Government confirms attendance at Geneva meetings to implement UN resolution 2216,” al Masdar, May 28, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/72020
“Riyadh Yassin: attending Geneva meeting to execute UN resolution 2216,” Barakish, May 28, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=323900
[3] “Somalia: Al Shabaab’s al-Turki passes away at 73,” Garowe Online, May 28. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/2762/somalia-al-shabaabs-alturki-passes-away-at-73
“Al-Shabaab official wanted by U.S. dies in Somalia,” Bar Kulan, May 28. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2015/05/28/al-shabaab-official-wanted-by-u-s-dies-in-somalia/
[4] Abdirazak Mohamud Tuuryare, “Puntland official shot dead outside Bosaso,” Shabelle News, May 27. Available: http://shabellenews.com/?p=5625
View Citations
