Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 9, 2009

Yemen: Al-Houthi rebels attacked Sa�ada city and shelled the town of Harf Sufyan; Yemeni authorities increase security to prevent entry of Somali jihadists; U.S. acknowledges possible Iranian involvement with the al-Houthi rebels and says there is no place for outsiders in the conflict

Horn of Africa: A senior member of Hizb al-Islam was gunned down in Mogadishu; Somali police warn against future attacks on peacekeepers; Puntland condemns Ethiopian raid into Galkayo; Somali Prime Minister meets with the UN official to discuss reopening of UN offices in Mogadishu and AU troops

Yemen Security Brief

• The al-Houthi rebels launched an overnight attack on the city of Sa'ada in order to take control of the "Palace of the Republic." Heavy fighting ensued for four hours until the army was able to force the rebels to retreat. In Amran province, the al-Houthi rebels shelled the town of Harf Sufyan.[1]

• Yemeni authorities are increasing security procedures to prevent Somali jihadists from entering the country. There are fears that jihadists may be able to enter the country because of the steady flow of Somali refugees into Yemen.[2]

• U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman states U.S. concerns about potential Iranian involvement in the conflict between the al-Houthi rebels and the government in Yemen. The U.S. "would like to see a peaceful solution to the Sa'ada conflict, and we call on outsiders to stand back and allow the government to promote reconciliation."[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief�

• Ahmed Abdurahman Odawa, a senior member of Hizb al-Islam, was gunned down in Mogadishu along with his bodyguard and a civilian. Spokesman for Hizb al-Islam Mohammed Osman Aros revealed that the group did not know who was responsible for the attack.[4]

• Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Barise, the Somali police spokesman, said at a press conference that the police have "credible information" of future attacks by al-Shabaab and Hizb al-Islam on AMISOM and Somali government targets. He also added that hospital staff should "dismiss" the threatening leaflets found in the vicinity of Medina Hospital.[5]

• Puntland condemned recent Ethiopian incursions on the city of Galkayo. Ethiopian forces entered the city to carry out an operation against Ogaden National Liberation Front members, arresting two and wounding two others.[6]

• Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke met with the UN Secretary General for Safety and Security Gregory B. Starr to discuss the reopening of UN offices in Mogadishu and to push for the full number of AU soldiers permitted by the mandate.[7]

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