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 leader killed in clashes between Yemeni security forces and al Houthi rebels; Yemeni government encourages al Houthi rebels to surrender; Yemeni Army repels assault by al Houthi rebels in Sa’ada province; anti-government elements capture fuel truck
Horn of Africa: Two Somali speed boats are attacked by Saudi helicopter gunships; a bomb was thrown into a police checkpoint in Galkayo; Somali pirates fight amongst each other; Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a bans films and speeding in Abudwaq district
Yemen Security Brief
Clashes between Yemeni security forces and al Houthi rebels in Sa’ada province claimed the life of al Houthi leader Ali al Qatwani. Supporters of Ali Alsayani and Abu Hizam participated in the fight against Yemeni forces. The Yemeni government has claimed to have taken control of al Malaheez, in Sa’ada province.[1]
The Yemeni Army encouraged the al Houthi rebels to surrender and discontinue their military operations in Sa’ada province. “Police stations, local authority buildings, houses of members of parliament and tribal sheikhs” have been established as predetermined locations for al Houthi fighters to surrender. The Ministry of Defense promised that al Houthi fighters who surrendered would not be harmed and would be treated humanely. Separately, the Defense Ministry said that reinforcements from the republican guard were heading to the mountainous areas of Harf Sufayan in preparation for a wide ground attack on remaining al Houthi strongholds.[2]
An al Houthi assault on the Sa’ada presidential palace was repelled by the Yemeni Army, killing and injuring several militants. The al Houthi rebels had allegedly hoped to use the assault as propaganda tool should they have been successful.[3]
Anti-government supporters of the Southern Movement captured a fuel truck in the al Habilain district of Lahij province. The truck-jacking took place on a highway, where anti-government elements continue to impose their rule on the population in the district.[4]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Two small speed boats, which were allegedly launched from Somalia, were attacked by Saudi Cobra gunships in the Gulf of Aden to prevent shipments of arms from reaching al Houthi rebels in Yemen.[5]
A bomb was hurled into a police checkpoint in Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region, injuring five people. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.[6]
After Spanish officials paid a ransom (reportedly for $3.3 million) to Somali pirates to secure the release of the Alakran ship and its 36-member crew, a firefight ensued over the amount of money each Somali pirate was to be paid from the ransom. Two Somali pirates were wound in the firefight.[7]
The Islamic clerics of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a have banned the watching of films in Abudwaq district. Drivers are also banned from driving at high speeds through Abudwaq district, as “Allah has ordered his slaves to follow.”[8]
