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: U.S. increases humanitarian aid to Yemen; Saudi-led coalition continues airstrikes on Sana’a
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab militants ambush a diplomatic convoy near Beledweyne; al Shabaab claims credit for IED attack in Kismayo
Yemen Security Brief
- U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price announced on September 16 that the United States will provide $89 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, bringing the total U.S. humanitarian contribution in fiscal year 2015 to almost $170 million. This aid package includes food assistance, clean drinking water, medical supplies, and emergency shelter. King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia has agreed to facilitate humanitarian and commercial access to Yemen’s Red Sea ports, and the White House called for all conflicting parties to respect the neutrality of humanitarian aid workers.[1]
- The Saudi-led coalition continued its airstrike campaign on the al Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen on September 17. Airstrikes targeting an al Houthi leader’s home in northern Sana’a killed at least nine civilians. Coalition warplanes also caused a series of explosions when they struck a weapons cache at an al Houthi military base in southern Sana’a.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
- Al Shabaab militants attacked a convoy carrying two members of Somalia’s parliament as well local village leaders near Beledweyne, in Hiraan region on September 16. The parliamentarian’s Somalia National Army (SNA) escort managed to fight off the attackers, killing six militants while two of their own sustained non-life threatening injuries in the process.[3]
- An improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a military camp in Kismayo city killed three SNA officers and wounded ten other soldiers on September 17. An al Shabaab spokesperson has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they targeted soldiers lining up to receive their salaries.[4]
[1] “Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on Additional U.S. Humanitarian Aid for Yemen,” The White House, September 16, 2015. Available: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/16/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-additional-us-humanitarian-aid
[2] “At least nine killed in Saudi-led strikes on Yemen: medics,” Reuters, September 17, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/17/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0RH1AW20150917
“Explosions at reserve military base in Sana’a from strikes on weapons stores,” Al Masdar, September 17, 2015. [Arabic] Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/75396
[3] “MPs survive Al-Shabaab’s assassination attempt,” Wacaal Media, September 17, 2015. Available: http://wacaal.com/2015/09/mps-survive-al-shabaabs-assassination-attempt/
“MP commends security officers for repulsing Al-Shabaab after ambushing them,” Wacaal Media, September 17, 2015. Available: http://wacaal.com/2015/09/mps-commends-security-officers-for-repulsing-al-shabaab-after-ambushing-them/
[4] Feisal Omar and Abdi Sheikh, “Somalia bomb kills three soldiers; al Shabaab claims responsibility,” Reuters, September 17, 2015. Available: http://news.yahoo.com/blast-somalias-kismayu-port-city-kills-three-soldiers-092343272.html
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