Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 28, 2009

Yemen: The Yemeni military has opened al-Boq'a-Khitaf-Sa'ada road; locals question government withdrawal from the Razeh district in Sa'ada province; Yemeni Minister of Finance met with an International Monetary Fund delegation; government spokesman Hassan al-Louzi confirmed arrest of five Iranians

Horn of Africa: Heavy fighting in Mogadishu between Islamists and AU forces took place as the president returned from Yemen; seven Somali pirates have been detained on a German naval vessel after shooting at a French fishing boat; Puntland authorities arrested traditional elder; South African paper reports Somali-based threats on 2010 World Cup

Yemen Security Brief 

• A military source reports that the military, with cooperation from the Waelah tribes, have opened al-Boq'a-Khitaf-Sa'ada road, which al-Houthi rebels had blocked to prevent the delivery of goods to Sa'ada. In addition, arms dealers have been detained in Sana'a and Dhamar governorates, and roads leading to al-Houthi hideouts have been blockaded.[1]

• In Razeh district in western Sa'ada province, residents have reported the withdrawal of government forces from military outposts and the leaving behind of military equipment. Locals say that the army retreated from Razeh despite popular support in the district, and many expressed fears that clashes between al-Houthi rebels and pro-government supporters could erupt. There is also speculation regarding possible airstrikes on Razeh – last week, a misguided plane accidently bombed a home, killing seven citizens – or that the army struck a deal with the al-Houthi rebels.[2]

• Yemeni Minister of Finance, Numan al-Suhaibi, met with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund to discuss areas of cooperation. Al-Suhaibi presented a review of Yemen's economic reforms to-date and expressed the government's goals of improving living conditions through private sector investment and financial policies. The IMF responded favorably to the presentation and affirmed continued support of Yemen.[3]

• Government spokesman Hassan al-Louzi confirmed the arrest of five Iranians who were on board a boat laden with weapons near Midi, in Hajjah province. State-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines denied any Iranian ship involvement off the coast of Yemen.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief  

• Heavy fighting in Mogadishu erupted along the Mekka al-Mukarama road. This is the primary road connecting the presidential palace to the airport, in addition to the main AMISOM base in Mogadishu. This most recent attack coincided with the arrival of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's plane at the main airport following a trip to Yemen. Four people have been confirmed dead and at least eleven others wounded.[5]

• A German naval vessel has detained seven pirates following identification from a French vessel's crew. Pirates in two skiffs reportedly fired at the French fishing boat, which had armed guards aboard who returned fire. The pirates then fled and were captured by Spanish and German naval units who were operating as part of the EU anti-piracy force.[6]

• Puntland authorities have arrested a prominent traditional elder, Abdulaziz Yusuf. Officials have declined to comment on the arrest; however, local sources report that he had criticized authorities for arresting five Somali men originally from the Ogaden region in Ethiopia and turning them over to Ethiopian security officials. Puntland claims that Ogaden citizens support the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a rebel group fighting for independence of Ogaden from Ethiopia.[7]

• South African local media reported that the National Intelligence Agency had intercepted a call that discussed Somali-based plans to target American interests at the 2010 World Cup in retaliation for the U.S. operation against a Kenyan al-Qaeda operative in Somalia. South African law enforcement agencies have stated that they are on high alert.[8]