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 coalition conducts airstrikes in al Hudaydah governorate; Saudi-led coalition intercepts al Houthi drones and missiles targeting Red Sea coast; Kuwait offers to hold Yemen peace talks; Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to stop Iran from turning Iraq and Yemen into missile bases
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab detonates VBIED in Mogadishu; SNA seizes two villages from al Shabaab in Lower Jubba region
Yemen Security Brief
The Saudi-led coalition conducted airstrikes on Kamaran Island and Ras Issa port in governorate in western Yemen on November 25. The airstrikes killed eight people. Yemeni forces aligned with President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government and al Houthi forces clashed in al Hudaydah city after the airstrikes.[1]
The Saudi-led coalition intercepted three al Houthi missiles and five al Houthi drones in western Yemen on November 24. Hadi government-aligned forces claimed that the attack targeted a Hadi government office in port city in Taiz governorate in western Yemen.[2]
Kuwait’s delegate to the UN, Mansour al Otaibi, stated on November 22 that Kuwait seeks to host peace talks for the Yemeni civil war. Al Otaibi also stated that Kuwait is encouraged by recent diplomatic progress in Yemen.[3]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on November 24 that Israel will take action if needed to prevent Iran from turning Yemen and Iraq into bases for launching missiles at Israel.[4]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Al Shabaab detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) near the K-5 Junction in Somalia’s capital, , on November 23. The VBIED injured two civilians. Somali security forces later detained a suspect in the area.[5]
The Somali National Army (SNA) seized Kamjaron and Bula Haji villages in Lower Jubba region in southern Somalia on November 21. Al Shabaab militants withdrew from the villages as SNA forces approached.[6]
Visit our Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, and Somalia storystreams.
[1] “Hodeidah: Clashes between the Houthis and government forces after coalition raids”, Al Jazeera, November 25, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.net/news/politics/2019/11/25/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81; and “REFILE-Saudi-led coalition carries out air strikes along Yemen’s Red Sea coast”, Reuters, November 25, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/yemen-security/refile-saudi-led-coalition-carries-out-air-strikes-along-yemens-red-sea-coast-idUSL8N2853BM.
[2] Mahmoud, Ali, “Arab Coalition thwarts Houthi missile and drone attack in Yemen,” The National, November 25, 2019, https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/arab-coalition-thwarts-houthi-missile-and-drone-attack-in-yemen-1.942156.
[3] “Kuwait offers to host Yemen peace talks”, Gulf News, November 23, 2019, https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-offers-to-host-yemen-peace-talks-1.68032660.
[4] “Iran planning attacks on Israel: Netanyahu”, AFP, November 24, 2019, https://news.yahoo.com/iran-planning-attacks-israel-netanyahu-205141362.html.
[5] “Car bomb hits Somalia’s capital amidst tight security,” Garowe, November 23, 2019, https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/car-bomb-hits-somalias-capital-amidst-tight-security.
[6] “Somali forces seize villages from Al-Shabaab south of country,” Somali Affairs, November 23, 2019, https://www.somaliaffairs.com/news/somali-forces-seize-villages-from-al-shabaab-south-of-country/.
