Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 22, 2009

Yemen: Yemen intensifies security along coast to prevent smuggling; clashes reported between Yemenis and Saudi forces over border fence

Horn of Africa: Al-Shabaab attacks Mogadishu airport; Hizb al-Islam chairman said fighting to continue until Somalia has Islamic government; Islamist fighting near Kismayo kills twelve

Yemen Security Brief

• Yemeni authorities are increasing security along the coast in order to prevent arms smuggling.� The Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Affairs Rashad al-Alimi stated previously that the government is concerned that smugglers will unload major shipments in Djibouti or Somalia and smuggle arms by boat into Yemen.[1]

• Al-Houthi rebels report that clashes have broken out between local residents and Saudi forces along the border.� Saudi Arabia has been in the process of constructing a border fence to increase its own security and local residents claim the fence was on Yemeni territory.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al-Shabaab shelled the primary airport in Mogadishu, directed at President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's plane.� The mortars struck the perimeter of the airport and the president's plane took off safely.� Government and AU forces returned fire, and in the ensuing battle, at least 20 were killed and over 60 wounded across several Mogadishu neighborhoods where the insurgents were based.�� The AU denies firing into residential areas and counters that al-Shabaab shell them to make it seem as though the AU were responsible[3]

• The chairman of Hizb al-Islam, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, met with traditional Somali elders in Mogadishu and vowed that Hizb al-Islam will continue to fight until Somalia has an Islamic government.� Aweys added that the Transitional Federal Government was established by people who did not have peace and stability in mind.� This statement came following rumors that the TFG and Islamist organizations, especially Hizb al-Islam, were in talks.[4]

• Radio Garowe reports that at least twelve people were killed in fresh clashes between Hizb al-Islam and al-Shabaab militants in Birta Dheer village near Kismayo.� Sources add that Hizb al-Islam is divided, with one wing calling for peace amongst the Islamist rebels and the other seeking to continue fighting for control of Kismayo.[5]

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