Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Arab coalition launches airstrikes in northern and central Yemen; U.S. airstrikes target AQAP militants in Hadramawt

Horn of Africa: UK to send 370 peacekeeping troops under UN to Somalia and South Sudan; an explosion kills four people, including a soldier in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; Galmudug State officials invite Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a to negotiate for peace

Yemen Security Brief

• The Saudi-led Arab coalition continued its heavy airstrike campaign throughout northern and central Yemen on September 26-28. Residents and medics in Bani Zela, Hajjah claimed that a coalition helicopter attack killed at least 25 people on September 27, but the coalition denied any role in the attack. The coalition launched multiple strikes on al Houthi military bases in al Bayda, Sana’a, and al Hudaydah governorates, including al Daylami airbase in northern Sana’a. Saudi-led airstrikes destroyed al Houthi ballistic missiles in al Bayda and Taiz. The missiles were reportedly intended for a strike on the Aden airport.[1]

• Two reported U.S. airstrikes targeted al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants near the AQAP-controlled port city of al Mukalla, Hadramawt in southeastern Yemen. The first airstrike hit two cars in the al Riyan region on September 26 and the second struck the Republican Palace in al Mukalla on September 27. No casualty counts have been reported.[2]  

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• The UK announced plans to send up to 70 members of its military to Somalia and 300 to South Sudan as part of UN peacekeeping forces. The peacekeepers are intended to assist in training the local security forces and improve upon the logistical capabilities of the militaries of both countries. A spokesperson for UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, has said that the decision was made in order to help reduce refugee migration from both countries to the UK, as well as to help ensure regional stability.[3]

• A bomb planted by suspected al Shabaab militants exploded in a crowded restaurant, killing four people, including a soldier, and injuring an unspecified number of individuals. The explosion took place on September 26, in the city of Kismayo, located in the Lower Jubba region. This attack comes as tensions between al Shabaab and the city’s administration have significantly increased following the deportation of 70 women accused of being wives of militants in the past week, as well as a reported increase in the presence of militants in neighboring towns.[4] 

• Galmudug’s head of state, Abdikarim Hussein Gulleid, officially invited Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a (ASWJ) leaders to negotiate a political settlement over the administration of Somalia’s Central “Galmudug” State, composed of Galgudud and Mudug regions. Tensions between Galmudug State security forces and ASWJ sharply increased over the past weeks and ASWJ’s leaders declared war on the Galmudug administration, which they believe to be illegitimate. ASWJ had been coordinating with AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) troops against al Shabaab.[5]