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 Foreign Minister rules out talks with Iran over Yemen; southern media accuses al Islahi militia of attacking demonstrators in Shabwah; al Houthi forces claim killing Saudi soldiers in Hajjah
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab targets Somali special forces with IEDs outside Mogadishu; US reopens embassy in Mogadishu; Islamic State claims multiple attacks in northern Mozambique
Yemen Security Brief
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir ruled out holding negotiations with Iran over the Yemen conflict on October 2. An Iranian government spokesperson stated on September 30 that Saudi Arabia had reached out to Iran via intermediaries. Jubeir stated that de-escalation should come from Iran, the party that is spreading chaos in Yemen.[1]
A militia affiliated with the Islamist al Islah party fired on a group of demonstrators in Azzan city in in southern Yemen on October 3, according to southern Yemeni media. The demonstration was in support of Shabwani Elite Forces, a UAE-backed militia that operates in the governorate.[2]
Al Houthi forces claimed to kill multiple Saudi soldiers with artillery in in northwestern Yemen on October 3.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Al Shabaab detonated two roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting US-trained Somali Danab special forces in the Elasha Biyaha area outside Somalia’s capital, , on October 2. The explosions killed six soldiers.[4]
The US reestablished its embassy in Mogadishu after 28 years on October 2. The embassy closed in 1991 due to Somalia’s civil war.[5]
The Islamic State’s Central Africa Province claimed multiple attacks in villages in Mocimboa da Praia district in Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique in recent days. Salafi-jihadi militants kidnapped at least 20 people from Nantodola village and burned down houses in nearby Mungue village on October 1. Militants burned down houses in five other villages throughout the district on September 30.[6]
Visit our Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Somalia storystreams.
[1] “Saudi Arabia rules out Iran talks on war-torn Yemen,” Anadolu Agency, October 2, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/saudi-arabia-rules-out-iran-talks-on-war-torn-yemen/1599832.
[2] Al Islah militia opens fire on demonstrators in Shabwah,” 7adramout, October 3, 2019, https://www.7adramout.net/golden-news/7179057/%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86---%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%A9.html.
[3] “Mercenaries killed and wounded by artillery shelling in Hajjah,” 26Sep, October 3, 2019, https://26sep.net/news_details.php?lang=arabic&sid=163482.
[4] Tuuryare, Abdirisak, “Deadly Blasts Kill Six Soldiers In Somalia,” Mareeg, October 3, 2019, https://mareeg.com/deadly-blasts-kill-six-soldiers-in-somalia/.
[5] “Re-establishment of the United States Embassy in Mogadishu,” US Embassy in Somalia, October 2, 2019, https://so.usmission.gov/re-establishment-of-the-united-states-embassy-in-mogadishu/.
[6] “Mozambique: Terrorist On The Rampage Ahead Of Elections,” Zimeye, October 3, 2019, https://www.zimeye.net/2019/10/03/mozambique-terrorist-on-the-rampage-ahead-of-elections/.
