Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 26, 2015

Yemen: Saudi-led international coalition launches operation Resolute Storm in Yemen; ten countries join Saudi operation in Yemen; al Houthi militants enter Aden city, Aden; Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi flees to Oman

Horn of Africa: U.S. warns of threat of possible attack in Kampala; Kenyan police officer killed by unknown gunmen in Mombasa; Somali army and police clash in Gedo region

Yemen Security Brief

• Saudi Arabia and an allied coalition launched an operation called “Decisive Storm” in Yemen on March 26 targeting the al Houthis. Approximately 150 fighter jets bombed al Houthi targets at al Daylami Airforce base and Sana’a International Airport early in the morning on March 26, killing an estimated 13 civilians and three reported al Houthi leaders, although casualty numbers could not be verified. Saudi aircraft also performed airstrikes on al Houthi militants near the Saudi-Yemeni border in al Minzala, Sa’ada, though no casualty reports are available from the strike.[1]

• The Saudi Ambassador to Washington announced that an international coalition of 10 countries had participated in the Saudi operation Resolute Storm in Yemen. The coalition includes aircraft the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Sudan, and Egypt. Egypt deployed four naval ships to secure the Gulf of Aden along with ships from Saudi Arabia. Sudan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia have pledged ground forces for the operation, and are reportedly planning a ground assault. Pakistan is reportedly considering sending ground forces to Yemen. The White House announced that it would provide logistical and intelligence support to the operation.[2]

• Al Houthi militants and allied-military units entered Aden city, Aden on March 26. The al Houthis have reportedly seized the districts of al Mansoura and Sheikh al Othman in northern Aden. Al Houthi militants allied with the Saleh-loyalist 39th Brigade have also reportedly captured al Badr military camp, near Aden International Airport. It is unclear whether al Houthi forces remain in control of Aden International Airport.[3]

• President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi reportedly arrived safely at the Yemeni-Omani border on March 26 after fleeing Aden on March 25.[4]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda issued a warning that it had information on possible terrorist threats to locations frequented by westerners on March 25. Ugandan officials identified al Shabaab as the source of the threat. Ugandan security forces have also increased security in the city.[5]

• Unknown gunmen killed a Kenyan counter-terrorism police officer in Mombasa, Kenya on March 26. Kenyan officials fear that the killing may be in response to a crackdown on al Shabaab recruiting in the area.[6]

• Somali National Army (SNA) and Somali police exchanged gunfire at a checkpoint in Afgoi, Lower Shabelle region on March 25. At least three people were killed in the clash. It is unclear what caused the incident.[7]