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: Gunmen set fire to Islah party headquarters in Aden, southern Yemen; AQAP snipers shoot al Houthi-Saleh soldiers in al Bayda governorate, central Yemen; militants prevent Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghir from entering Lahij governorate
Horn of Africa: Kenyan police kill three opposition protesters in Siaya county, Kenya; al Shabaab militants ambush KDF forces in Gedo region, Somalia
Yemen Security Brief
Gunmen dressed as counterterrorism forces set fire to the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islah party headquarters in , southern Yemen on October 13. Nobody was present in the building at the time. Three Emirati-backed al Hizam security troops died from responding to the fire. Al Hizam forces arrested 11 Islah party members allegedly connected to the assassination of a Salafi imam on October 11 and 12. Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi government Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghir called on all security forces in Aden to exercise restraint to prevent further clashes and forbade arrests without prior permission.[1]
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) snipers shot two al Houthi-Saleh soldiers near the security department in al Quraishyah district, northwest al Bayda governorate, central Yemen on October 12. AQAP militants attacked the al Houthi-Saleh al Quraishyah District Building in al Bayda governorate on October 10.[2]
Militants intercepted Daghir’s convoy in Subaiha district, governorate, southern Yemen on October 12, according to the Yemeni Deputy Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training. The Deputy Minister said the Prime Minister cancelled his planned visit to the opening of a community college to avoid a confrontation. Southern Movement leaders and activists have recently called for Daghir’s removal from office.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Kenyan police killed three civilians while attempting to disrupt opposition protests against Kenya’s electoral commission in town, Siaya county, Kenya on October 13. Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for daily protests against Kenya’s electoral commission after he withdrew from the re-run presidential election due to concerns over a credible election. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta signed his majority party’s election amendments into law, declaring the last remaining candidate of an election the winner if the last opposing candidate withdraws, and approved funding for the re-run election on October 13.[4]
Al Shabaab militants ambushed a Kenyan Defense Force convoy in , Gedo region, southern Somalia on October 12. Al Shabaab militants stole military and humanitarian supplies after raiding a Somali National Army (SNA) base and Elwaq on September 18. Elwaq borders Kenya’s Mandera county.[5]
[1] “Masked gunmen dressed as anti-terrorism forces storm the Aden Islah headquarters and set fire to it,” Al Masdar, October 13, 2017, http://almasdaronline.com/article/94682; “Dead and wounded from a camp for al Hizam in Crater and conflicting news about the cause of injury,” Aden Tomorrow, October 13, 2017, http://adengad.net/news/282251/; and “Bin Daghir commenting on the arrests of the leaders of the Islah party in Aden,” Aden Tomorrow, October 13, 2017, http://www.adengd.net/news/282335/.
[2] AQAP attacks security department in al Bayda, Telegram. October 13, 2017.
[3] “Gunmen intercept bin Daghir’s convoy in Lahij but avoid clashes, officials say,” Al Masdar, October 12, 2017, http://almasdaronline.com/article/94672.
[4] “3 shot dead as Nasa's anti-IEBC demos turn ugly in Nyanza,” Daily Nation, October 13, 2017, http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Nasa-anti-IEBC-demos-Kenya-elections-2017/1056-4138128-x1wh0rz/index.html; and “President Kenyatta receives election laws bill,” Daily Nation, October 13, 2017, http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Uhuru-receives-election-laws-bill/1064-4138048-lmxcb7/index.html. <br/[5] “Al Shabaab militants ambush Kenyan Defense Forces near Elwaq,” Mustaqbal Radio, October 13, 2017, http://www.mustaqbalradio.com/shabaab-oo-ciidanka-kenya-kala-wareegay-gaari-usidaydareys-ciidan-rasaas-raashiin-iyo-weliba-dawo/.
