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: Al Houthis launch projectile toward village in Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region; Hadi government–aligned forces claim ambushing al Houthis in al Jawf governorate; Saudi-led coalition forces launch airstrikes on al Houthis in northern Yemeni governorates
Horn of Africa: SNA kills 13 al Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle region; pro–al Shabaab media claims al Shabaab attacked Kenyan military base in Lower Jubba region
Yemen Security Brief:
Al Houthi militants launched an unspecified projectile toward a village in southwestern Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region on September 19. Shrapnel from the projectile injured five civilians and damaged three vehicles. Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted an al Houthi drone targeting Abha airport in the kingdom’s southwestern Asir region on September 17.[1]
Forces aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi claimed ambushing al Houthi militants in Bir al Mazariq area of northern Yemen’s al Jawf governorate. Hadi government–aligned forces claimed attacking al Houthi militants in al Jawf governorate in early September in an attempt to advance toward the governorate’s capital.[2]
Saudi-led coalition forces launched airstrikes targeting al Houthi militants across northern Yemen’s Ma’rib, al Jawf, and Amran governorates on September 20. Hadi government–aligned forces clashed with al Houthi militants west of Ma’rib governorate’s Sirwah district on September 17.[3]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
The Somali National Army (SNA) killed 13 al Shabaab militants in Barire town in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on September 20. SNA forces also removed al Shabaab landmines in the area. A US Africa Command airstrike targeted an al Shabaab militant known for his bomb-making expertise in Lower Shabelle region in late August.[4]
Pro–al Shabaab media outlet Somalimemo reported that al Shabaab militants attacked a Kenyan military base in Bilis Qoqani town in southern Somalia’s Lower Jubba region on September 21. A suspected al Shabaab militant conducted a suicide vest attack outside a mosque in Lower Jubba’s Kismayo city in mid-September.[5]
[1] “5 Civilians Hurt in Houthi Attack on Saudi Arabia,” Voice of America, September 20, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/5-civilians-hurt-houthi-attack-saudi-arabia; and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 18, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-18-2020.
[2] “National Army surprises al Houthis in al Jawf governorate and invaded their sites,” Mareb Press, September 20, 2020, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lang=arabic&sid=167325; and Rahma Bayrakdar and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 9, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, September 9, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-9-2020.
[3] “Coalition fighters target the Houthis with more than 25 raids in Ma’rib, al Jawf, and Amran,” Al Mashhad al Yemeni, September 20, 2020, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/179442; and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 18, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, September 18, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-18-2020.
[4] “Somali military says it killed 13 militants in Lower Shabelle,” Hiiraan, September 21, 2020, https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2020/Sept/180039/somali_military_says_it_killed_13_militants_in_lower_shabelle.aspx; “Somalia says army kills 12 Shabab militants,” Xinhua, September 21, 2020, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/21/c_139385606.htm; and Rahma Bayrakdar and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 9, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, September 9, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-9-2020.
[5] “Al Shabaab attacks against the base of Safballaaran Kenya,” Somalimemo, September 21, 2020, https://somalimemo.net/articles/11066/Xoogagga-Al-Shabaab-oo-Weeraro-Safballaaran-ah-ku-qaadday-Saldhigga-ciidanka-Kenya-ee-Qooqaani; and Rahma Bayrakdar and Jessica Kocan, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 11, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, September 11, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-11-2020.
