Gulf of Aden Security Review - May 13, 2015

Yemen: Ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and al Houthis begins in Yemen; Iranian cargo ship headed to Yemen refuses to submit to Saudi inspections

Horn of Africa: Suspected al Shabaab militants attack police in North Eastern Province, Kenya

Yemen Security Brief

• A humanitarian ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the al Houthi movement in Yemen took effect on May 12. Despite the continuation of minor clashes throughout Yemen, the ceasefire seems to have been largely effective in curtailing the ongoing violence in Yemen.[1]

• Iran announced its refusal on May 13 to submit an Iranian cargo ship, reportedly carrying humanitarian relief to Yemen, to Saudi inspections. The U.S. called on Iran to direct the cargo ship to Djibouti, where the UN is coordinating relief efforts for Yemen. The cargo ship is accompanied by war-ships from the Iranian Navy’s 34th fleet.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Suspected al Shabaab militants attacked a Kenyan police patrol base in Dadaab, North Eastern Province, Kenya, on May 12. A Kenyan official claimed that two of the militants and one police officer were killed in the officer’s successful attempt to repel the attackers.[3]