Yemen: U.S. Navy deploys ships to Gulf of Aden; unidentified militants clash with soldiers along Ma’rib-Hadramawt border; popular resistance fighters clash with al Houthis in Shabwah

Horn of Africa: Suspected al Shabaab SVBIED attack in Mogadishu

Yemen Security Brief

  • The U.S. Navy deployed the USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier and guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy to the Gulf of Aden on April 20, bringing the total number of U.S. ships in Yemeni waters to twelve. Pentagon spokesmen Steve Warren denied rumors that U.S. ships were deployed to intercept other vessels.[1]
  • Unidentified militants clashed with Yemeni soldiers in Safir, Ma’rib, along the Hadramawt-Ma’rib border on April 20. The reason for the fighting is unknown. A reported eight people were killed in the fighting.[2]
  • Popular resistance fighters clashed with al Houthi forces and al Houthi-allied military units in Nisab, Shabwah on April 21. There are no casualty reports available from the engagement.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • A suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) detonated outside of a restaurant in Mogadishu on April 21. The attack killed at least 11. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack but al Shabaab has carried out similar attacks in the past.[4]
[1]  “US aircraft carrier moves into Arabian Sea because of Yemen security situation,” ABC News, April 20, 2015. Available: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-aircraft-carrier-moves-arabian-sea-yemen-security/story?id=30453089
“Warning Iran, U.S. sends two more ships to Yemen,” NY Times, April 20, 2015. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/world/middleeast/warning-iran-us-sends-two-more-ships-to-yemen.html?smid=pl-share&_r=2
“US warships move into Yemeni waters; could block Iran weapons,” Bigstory, April 20, 2015. Available: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bf2d39f25e864159917ba07ab1f05e6e/us-warship-heads-yemeni-waters-block-iranian-weapons
“Arrival of more U.S. warships off Yemen tightens ‘siege’,” Reuters, April 21, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/21/us-yemen-security-usa-navy-idUSKBN0NC0VZ20150421
[2] “Dead and wounded in fighting between gunmen and army,” April 20, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.yemenakhbar.com/yemen-news/169074.html
“Eight dead in fighting between army and gunmen on Hadramawt-Ma’rib road,” April 20, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://khabaragency.net/news24621.html
[3] “Dead and wounded al Houthis from fighting in Nisab, Shabwah,” April 21, 2015 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/71011
[4] “Somalia: Dozens dead in restaurant suicide attack,” Horseed Media, April 21. Available: http://horseedmedia.net/2015/04/21/somalia-dozens-dead-in-restaurant-suicide-attack/
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