Gulf of Aden Security Review - July 2, 2013

Yemen: UN report reveals weapons were destined for Somalia; bomb explodes outside First Armored Division camp in Sana’a; security forces kill AQAP leader in Sana’a; tribesmen attack oil pipeline in Ma’rib; police recover YECO trucks in Sana’a; al Houthis shoot at helicopter in al Jawf; protesters demand leadership change in Ibb; military officer dies in Aden; special forces clash with tribesmen in Ma’rib

Horn of Africa: Hassan Dahir Aweys is interrogated, in need of medical attention in Mogadishu; three Jubbaland presidential hopefuls surrender to AMISOM troops in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region; Barre Hirale rejects claims of al Shabaab merger; landmine targets AMISOM troops in Baidoa, Bay region; al Shabaab militants attack Kismayo airport, Lower Jubba region; jihadist network calls for end to al Shabaab infighting; Ras Kamboni forces loot Kismayo residents, injured civilians flown to Mogadishu; UN releases report on lack of transparency in Somalia’s central bank; UK ambassador presents credentials to Somali president; Uganda replaces AMISOM commander; UN ambassador voices concern for Somali reconciliation process

Yemen Security Brief

• Reuters reported that a confidential UN report determined that an Iranian ship seized in Yemeni waters on January 23 carrying weapons including surface-to-air missiles was possibly destined for Somalia.[1]

• An explosion occurred in front of the main gate of the First Armored Division camp in Sana’a on July 2. There were no casualties.[2]

• Security forces killed a leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Sana’a on July 2. Security forces attempted to arrest the suspect, but he shot at them and fled. Another AQAP member escaped.[3]

• The Ta’iman tribe attacked the oil pipeline in Sirwah for the second time in 24 hours on July 2. Security forces clashed with the tribe and destroyed several vehicles.[4]

• An operation by police led to the recovery of eight tankers belonging to the Yemeni Economical Corporation (YECO) in Bani Matar, Sana’a governorate. The tankers were stolen by tribesmen from al Hadab.[5]

• Al Houthis shot at a military helicopter that was flying through Majzar, al Jawf governorate on July 2.[6]

• Protests in Ibb continued for the fifth day outside the governorate building on July 2. Protesters demanded the removal of the governor and local leadership because of human rights and criminal violations.[7]

• A senior military officer died on July 2 at the Anad military camp in Aden governorate under mysterious circumstances. Officials have not yet disclosed any further information.[8]

• Special Forces clashed with tribesmen at a security checkpoint in Ma’rib on July 1 after trying to prevent them travelling with weapons. There were no injuries.[9]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Shabelle Media Network reported that Hassan Dahir Aweys was tortured during his interrogation in Mogadishu on July 1 and is in need of medical attention. Demonstrators, reportedly from Aweys’ clan, protested his arrest and interrogation in the streets of Mogadishu on July 1.[10]

• Three claimants to the Jubbaland presidency surrendered to AMISOM troops in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region on June 30. Omar Burale, Iftin Hassan Basto and Abdi Balle all surrendered, but Barre Hirale has not rescinded his claim to the presidency.[11]

• Barre Hirale rejected claims that his fighters merged with al Shabaab militants in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region but said that his and al Shabaab’s causes were similar and that it was possible the two groups would join together to oust Kenyan forces from Somalia.[12]

• A landmine targeted AMISOM troops in Baidoa, Bay region on June 29. Seven AMISOM soldiers were injured in the explosion.[13]

• Al Shabaab militants attacked the Kismayo airport on July 1. Forces at the airport were able to repel the attack but the number of casualties from the incident is not known.[14]

• Leading jihadist forum Shumukh al Islam released a message on June 28 to al Shabaab leadership calling for a cessation to the fighting between separate al Shabaab factions.[15]

• Ras Kamboni forces looted citizens in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region following fighting that took place on June 28 and 29. Around 54 civilians injured in that fighting were airlifted to Mogadishu for medical treatment.[16]

• The United Nations released a report in July 2 examining the lack of transparency in Somalia’s central bank. The report stated that 80 percent of withdrawals from the central bank are private and used for non-governmental purposes.[17]

• British Ambassador to Somalia Neil Wigan presented his credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu on July 2.[18]

• Brigadier Dick Olum replaced Brigadier Michael Ondoga as commander of Uganda’s AMISOM fighting force on July 1.[19]

• UN Ambassador to Somalia Nicholas Kay released a statement on June 29 denouncing the recent fighting in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region and saying that the Somali people need to focus more on national reconciliation.[20]