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: A surprise rebel-attack on an airport where arms are stored killed at least 80, primarily soldiers, in Razeh; Yemen denies Saudi involvement in northern conflict; Yemeni court sentences ten al-Houthi rebels to death, five to fifteen-year prison term; Yemen's Foreign Minister announced willingness of government to participate in conditional talks

Horn of Africa: Al-Shabaab downs U.S. drone over Kismayo; Somali president calls for national dialogue; AU vehicle hit by landmine in Mogadishu; Somali pirates threaten to execute Chinese sailors

Yemen Security Brief

  • At least eighty people, primarily soldiers, were killed in battles between government forces and al-Houthi rebels.� Military sources report that the rebels launched a surprise attack on the Razeh airport, which stores a six-month store of arms.� Government reinforcements are due to arrive in the area.� In Harf Sufyan, over fifty pro-government volunteer fighters from local tribes have been killed in clashes with al-Houthi rebels.[1]
  • The Yemeni Defense Ministry has denied allegations levied by al-Houthi rebels that Saudi Arabian artillery hit al-Husama Market in western Sa'ada province.� In a statement, the Ministry said that these allegations indicated that the rebels have a sense of imminent defeat and are seeking "to justify it by speaking about Saudi interference."[2]
  • A Yemeni special court convicted another fifteen al-Houthi rebels of "associating with an armed group for criminal purposes," "creating an organized terrorist group," and "(armed) resistance to the authorities."� Ten of them received the death sentence and the remainder received a sentence of fifteen years in prison.� In court, the rebels greeted the decision by chanting, "Death to America," "Death to Israel," "A curse on the Jews," and "Victory for Islam."[3]
  • In Cairo, Yemen's Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi stated that the government is prepared to hold conditional talks with the al-Houthi rebels to listen to grievances, but will not discuss any separatist demands.� "There will never be dialogue with those calling for separation," he declared.� Al-Qirbi added that the government seeks negotiations with all factions "under the umbrella of unity."[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have downed a U.S. drone over the southern port-city of Kismayo.� Spokesman of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, Lieutenant Nathan Christensen, said all "unmanned aerial vehicles had been safely recovered."[5]
  • Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called for unconditional political dialogue with the rebels.� The president has also accused both al-Shabaab and Hizb al-Islam of being al-Qaeda proxies.[6]
  • An AU peacekeeping vehicle hit a landmine near Kulliyada Jalle Si'ad in Mogadishu, which damaged the vehicle in the blast.� Reports add that Islamist fighters and Burundian soldiers fought following the incident.� Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.[7]
  • Somali pirates have said that if China attempts to rescue 25 Chinese crewmembers aboard a hijacked bulk carrier they will execute the crew.� Despite increased monitoring of shipping lanes, pirates continue to operate in the waters off the coast of Somalia.� In addition to the Chinese carrier, they have captured, among other ships, a Singaporean container ship and a Spanish fishing boat.[8]
[1] "At Least 80 Killed as Battles Rage in North Way for Yemen Refugees," Yemen Post, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=1446
[2] "Yemen Denies Saudi Bombardment on Rebels," Yemen Observer, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://www.yobserver.com/local-news/10017442.html
[3] "Yemen Rebels Sentenced to Death," AFP, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i97P-hE_mkuKzP81zMWkmXb-QsLQ
[4] "Yemen Open to Conditional Talks with Shi'ite Rebels," Reuters, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LK360647.htm
[5] "Somali Shabaab Rebels Say They Shot Down U.S. Drone," Reuters, October 19, 2009.� Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE59I36O20091019?sp=true
[6] "President Sharif Calls for Dialogue With Out Condition," RBC Radio, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=22946
"Somali Groups Urged to Join Talks," Al Jazeera, October 20, 2009. Available: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/10/200910207499286147.html
[7] "Land Mine Explosion Targeted AMISOM Troops' Military Vehicle in Mogadishu," Shabelle Media Network, October 19, 2009.� Available: http://shabelle.net/News/ViewNews.asp?NewsID=9200
[8] "Somali Pirates Threaten To Kill Chinese Sailors," Reuters, October 20, 2009.� Available: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE59J0AR20091020?sp=true
TIMELINE
Arrow down red
Nov '09
Oct '09
Sep '09