Gulf of Aden Security Review - November 6, 2009

Yemen: Saudi Arabia continues to strike rebel positions along the border; local authorities in Sa’ada offer asylum to al Houthi rebels who surrender; Yemen’s Supreme Security Committee accused the opposition of supporting the al Houthi rebels and southern separatists; six Yemeni institutions have collaborated with the Danish Institute to form a network in defense of human rights and freedoms

Horn of Africa: Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, leader of Hizb al Islam, met with Mogadishu businessmen; fighting in Mogadishu between government forces and group wearing Somali uniforms killed at least three people, wounded nine others; former security officer killed in Bosasso, Puntland; Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Somali livestock imports

Yemen Security Brief

• Saudi Arabia reported that it has continued carrying out airstrikes on “infiltrators” within Saudi territory.  A military official in Yemen, however, has said that Saudi forces continued to hit rebel position in Sa’ada.  The al Houthi rebels have also accused Saudi Arabia of targeting areas within Yemen, adding that Saudi airstrikes hit five areas within their northern stronghold.[1]

• Local authorities in Sa’ada province offered asylum to al Houthi rebels who surrender, according to government spokesman Hassan al Lawzi.  Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al Qirbi, referenced in a statement the possible existence of a relationship between al Qaeda and the al Houthi rebels, adding that investigations have uncovered shared contacts between the two.[2]

• Yemen’s Supreme Security Committee accused the Joint Meeting Parties, an opposition coalition, of publicly supporting al Houthi rebels and separatist and that the JMP justifies acts that target Yemen’s security and stability.[3]

• Six Yemeni institutions have collaborated with the Danish Institute to create a network to defend human rights and freedoms.  The goals of the network are: to promote democracy and good governance, to enhance dialogue, and to defend the rule of law and the constitution.  Members include Women Journalists Without Chains, Democratic School, Yemeni Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms, Yemeni Observatory for Human Rights, and Human Rights Information and Training Centre.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, Hizb al Islam’s leader, met with businessmen in Mogadishu seeking support for the war against the Transitional Federal Government and African Union peacekeeping forces.  In addition, Aweys urged the business community to rebuild roads in the capital, which are important for the movement of troops and supplies.[5]

• Fighting in Mogadishu killed at least three people and wounded nine others.  Reports say that a group of government soldiers fired on a second armed group wearing Somali uniforms who were attacking World Food Program vehicles carrying humanitarian goods.[6]

• Jama Adan Mohammed, a security officer turned businessman, was gunned down in Bosasso in Puntland.  On his way home, three men surrounded him and opened fire.  The attackers remain at large. [7]

• Saudi Arabia lifted a ban a nine-year old ban on livestock imports from Somalia, which was put in place to prevent the spread of Rift Valley fever.  Livestock exports contribute greatly to Somalia’s economy, and in the past, Saudi Arabia has been a major market.[8]