Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 1, 2014

Yemen: Suspected AQAP militants detonate car bomb in Aden; Yemeni Foreign Minster accuses former regime of supporting al Houthi revolution; Southern Movement leader calls for assistance from international community; al Islah party issues statement to followers regarding al Houthi revolution

Horn of Africa:  Al Shabaab militants attack Somali National Army base in Lower Shabelle region; AMISOM and Somali National Army forces seize large amounts of territory from al Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle, and Middle Shabelle regions; Puntland administration officials claim regional security forces seized territory from al Shabaab in Bari region; unidentified assailants target Jubbaland security forces in Lower Jubba region

Yemen Security Brief

• Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants detonated a car bomb in Khormaksar, Aden on October 1, killing one civilian and wounding three others. The intended target of the bombing was Colonel Nasser Maqil, who was not in the car at the time of the explosion. Separately, suspected AQAP gunmen kidnapped and executed senior security officer Colonel Abulfattah al Daais in Ibb on October 1. Lastly, Ansar al Sharia claimed credit on October 1 for detonating an improvised explosive device (IED) that killed two Yemeni soldiers in Azzan, Shabwah on September 30.[1]

• Yemeni Foreign Minister Jamal al Salal appeared before the United Nations in New York on September 29 and stated that the al Houthi revolution could not have succeeded without help from Yemen’s former leader, President Ali Abdullah Saleh.[2]

• Southern Movement leader, Abdulrahman al Jafari, called upon the international community on October 1 to help South Yemen obtain independence. Separately, Southern Movement supporters gathered in Aden to demand the release of detained members of the Southern Movement.[3]

• The al Islah Party called its members to look past the differences they have with al Houthi supporters in order to avoid a future conflict in a September 30 statement. Al Islah also reconfirmed its commitment to the guidelines set in place by the al Houthi ceasefire agreement.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab militants attacked a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Bulo Marer, Lower Shabelle region, clashing with Somali forces on September 29. Casualties have not yet been reported.[5]

• African Union Mission in Somali (AMISOM) and SNA forces seized Rage Ceel, Middle Shabelle region from al Shabaab militants, arresting twelve suspected militants on September 30. Separately, AMISOM and SNA forces seized additional towns Middle Shabelle region, including Adale, Haji Ali Koger, and Addowul from al Shabaab militants on September 30. Finally, AMISOM and SNA forces seized Maryan-Gubaay village, Lower Shabelle region from al Shabaab militants on September 30. The militants fled without confrontation as AMISOM and SNA continue conducting Operation Indian Ocean in southern Somalia.[6]

• Puntland administration officials claimed that Puntland security forces seized the Galgala mountain area near Boosaaso, Bari region from al Shabaab militants. Al Furqan radio, a pro-al Shabaab station, reported that al Shabaab militants killed 16 government soldiers and destroyed two armored vehicles during the fighting on October 1.[7]

• Unidentified assailants targeted Jubbaland security forces with a roadside IED in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region. The blast destroyed a vehicle, killing one Jubbaland soldier and injuring an intelligence officer on October 1.[8]