Yemen: Al Houthi spokesperson denies the killing of Ali Alqatwani; sixty-eight al Houthi rebels arrested; Mohammed Abdul Salam and Hamid Badr Eddin al Houthi one in the same; Takeo Mashimo is to be released today by Yemeni tribe; rebels arrested after assassination plot against Rabbi
Horn of Africa: Low flying planes frighten Kismayo residents; Uganda to host EU trainers to train Somali forces; Puntland President Abdirahman Mohammed Farole to play role in the creation of Somali regional states
Yemen Security Brief
Mohammed Abdel Salam, an al Houthi spokesperson, released a statement to Al Arabiya denying earlier statements by the Yemeni government that al Houthi leader Ali Alqatwani was killed in al Malaheez of Sa’ada province.[1]
The Yemeni government arrested sixty-eight al Houthi rebels, twenty-six of who were reportedly Somalis, throughout Sa’ada. Fayed Taleb and Abdullah Mohammad al Khayami, known terrorists, were among those arrested in the government sweep. The Yemeni government continued to distribute leaflets in Sa’ada calling for the surrender of al Houthi fighters.[2]
Mohammed Abdel Salam, the al Houthi spokesperson, has been identified by Saudi sources as Hamid Badr Eddin al Houthi, brother of al Houthi leader Abdul Malak al Houthi. Hamid al Houthi allegedly took on the alias of Mohammed Abdel Salam after a bomb struck the al Houthi media office in Razah district of Sa’ada province killing everyone except Hamid al Houthi. The location of Hamid al Houthi (aka Mohammed Abdel Salam)is unknown.[3]
Takeo Mashimo, a Japanese engineer who was taken hostage outside of Sana’a, has been in the custody of a Yemeni tribe. The Yemeni government and tribal sheikhs have reportedly reached an agreement for the release of Mr. Mashimo. In return for his release, the Yemeni government will release Hussein Abdullah Hussein Jawb, who has reported ties to al Qaeda. Mr. Mashimo is expected to be released this morning, with several sheikhs and local leaders in attendance to ensure a smooth transition between the government and kidnappers.[4]
Two men carrying hand guns were arrested by police in the capital of Sana’a. The suspects were allegedly planning to assassinate Rabbi Yahya Yusuf Musa, the leader of a small Jewish community, after he criticized al Houthi rebels on television.[5]
Horn of Africa Security Brief
Kisamyo residents have claimed to have seen low flying planes over the town on several occasions. Kisamyo has been under the control of Al Shabaab fighters, after a brief skirmish allowed them to take control of the town from Hizbul Islam fighters.[6]
The European Union (EU) is planning to deploy trainers to train 2,000 Somalia soldiers on Uganda soil. This is the first step in bringing the total number of well-trained Somali troops to 6,000. Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, is expected to make a final decision on this matter next Tuesday in Brussels.[7]
With the hope of making the Horn of Africa more stable, President Abdirahman Mohammed Farole has stated that his government will play a major role in assisting with the formation of Somali regional states. President Farole is convinced that by creating such regional states peace can be achieved in the Horn of Africa.[8]