Gulf of Aden Security Review - September 2, 2011

Yemen: Yemeni army units advance on Zinjibar; fresh fighting in Abyan kills 18 people

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab releases pictures of captured equipment; AMISOM requests additional troops for Somalia; 20 militants killed during fighting in Galkayo; armed militants ambush Puntland security forces; TFG forces continue crackdown on illegal weapons in Mogadishu; al Shabaab executes man in Haradhere

Yemen Security Brief

• A Yemeni official reported that units from the 201st and 119th brigades advanced on two fronts towards Zinjibar. There, they connected with the 25th mechanized brigade, which had previously been besieged. The military claims to have recaptured al Wahda (Unity) Stadium outside of Zinjibar.[1]

• Fifteen militants and 3 soldiers were killed in fighting around Zinjibar.  Government forces also destroyed militant weapons stores.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab militants released pictures of equipment captured during an attack on a base held by pro-government militia on August 21, 2011 in Gedo region.  The captured equipment includes: a water/fuel truck, general transport truck, at least three technicals, several heavy machine guns, and medium mortar rounds. Al Shabaab also released a communiqué detailing the group’s activies on Eid al Fitr. Prayers were led in Banadir region by Sheikh Abu Abdul Rahman, including a speech by al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Mohamed Rage and in Lafole district in Lower Shabelle region by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and a speech by al Shabaab deputy leader Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali. Al Shabaab also hosted prayers in Kismayo in Lower Jubba region.[3]

• AMISOM is requesting an additional 10,000 troops from member countries to begin operations to fully secure Mogadishu and regain control of territory beyond the capital.  AMISOM deputy commander Audace Ndiwumunsi said that the troops were necessary to stabilize Mogadishu and that it was not enough to control just the city. Only 9,000 troops of AMISOM’s mandated 12,000 troops have been deployed to Mogadishu.[4]

• Fighting between Puntland security forces and al Shabaab militants broke out in Galkayo resulting in the deaths of more than 20 militants and four soldiers.  Additionally, 10 soldiers and at least 15 militants were wounded and receiving medical treatment.  The government of the Puntland region has been conducting counter-terrorism operations in the city, focusing on its western neighborhoods.[5]

• Puntland security forces were ambushed in Boosaaso by militants as they chased a man suspected to be a member of a pirate group.  One of the soldiers was killed and several others wounded in the attack.  At least one militant was killed and several civilian casualties were reported.[6]

• Transitional Federal Government (TFG) military and police in Mogadishu continued their crackdown on illegal weapons in the city resulting in the seizure of a number of weapons including landmines and IEDs.  The operation is intended to pacify the city following the withdrawal of al Shabaab militants in early August.[7]

• Garad Ahmed Ashkir, 22, was arrested by the militant group al Shabaab and accused of raping and murdering a woman.  The group publicly executed him in Harardhere in Mudug region.[8]