Gulf of Aden Security Review - July 19, 2013

Yemen: Militants attack checkpoint near Ataq, Shabwah; internal clashes divide the Southern Movement; Southern Movement leaders survive assassination attempt in al Dhaleh; gunman kills two in Sana’a; gunman assassinates comedian in Sana’a; al Houthi march in the capital Sana’a; UN issues travel advisory; grand jury indicts Florida man for conspiring to aid AQAP; MSC offers condolences for al Shihri’s death

Horn of Africa: Somali government soldiers clash with security guards in Baidoa, Bay region; grenade attack targets Somali troops in Beledweyne, Hiraan region; unknown gunmen attack civilian convoy near Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region; two kidnapped Spanish aid workers are freed; airfield to be built in Elwaq, Gedo region; UN delegation travels to Kismayo, Lower Jubba region

Yemen Security Brief

• Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants attacked a military checkpoint east of Ataq, Shabwah governorate on July 19. They also shot at the Shabwah Axis commander’s house. Neither attack caused any injuries.[1]

• Armed clashes broke out between supporters of Southern Movement leader Saleh al Shanfara and supporters of Shalal al Shaya in al Dhaleh city on July 18. Al Shanfara is aligned with Hassan Baoum, while al Shaya is aligned with former vice president Ali Salim al Beidh.[2]

• Southern Movement leaders Saleh al Shanfara and Khalid Masa’ad survived an assassination attempt in al Husayn, al Dhaleh on July 19. They were travelling in a Southern Movement-controlled zone when unknown gunmen shot at their car.[3]

• A gunman who eyewitness say was wearing a special forces uniform killed two people and wounded four in Tagheer Square, Sana’a on July 19.[4]

• Unknown gunmen killed comedian Sam Ma’almi in Sana’a on July 19.[5]

• Al Houthi supporters staged a protest in four neighborhoods of Sana’a city on July 19, calling for the fall of the unity government and reform of the security services.[6]

• The UN issued a warning on July 19 to all employees advising them against traveling within Sana’a and other cities due to the risk of kidnapping.[7]

• A grand jury charged Shelton Thomas Bell, of Jacksonville, Florida, on July 18 with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. According to the indictment, Bell had engaged in training and planned to travel to Yemen to join Ansar al Sharia, the insurgent arm of AQAP.[8]

• The Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) of Jerusalem posted a statement to a jihadist forum lamenting the loss of AQAP deputy leader Said al Shihri on July 17.[9]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Somali government soldiers fought against security guards working for the deputy mayor in Baidoa, Bay region on July 17. The clash began with an argument over a construction project in the city. Three people, including the deputy mayor, were injured in the fighting.[10]

• A grenade attack targeted Somali government troops in a restaurant in Beledweyne, Hiraan region on July 17. One soldier was killed and two others were injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.[11]

• Unknown gunmen attacked a civilian convoy near Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region on July 18. One passenger was killed and two others were wounded during the shooting.[12]

• Two Spanish aid workers, who were kidnapped in Kenya and held in Somalia for almost two years, were freed on July 18. It is believe that the two were held by al Shabaab, though the circumstances surrounding their release are not known.[13]

• Somali government officials announced plans to build an airport in Elwaq, Gedo region, in order to allow food aid and development programs better access to the region.[14]

• A UN delegation, led by Philippe Lazzarini, traveled to Kismayo, Lower Jubba region on July 18 to assess the city’s humanitarian situation.[15]