Gulf of Aden Security Review - July 6, 2015

Yemen: President Hadi’s government and the al Houthi movement are negotiating Ramadan ceasefire; U.S. airstrike targets four AQAP members in al Mukalla; Saudi-led airstrikes target Saleh’s party headquarters

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab seizes several towns in Lower Shabelle; al Shabaab seizes Jalalaqsi, Hiraan region

Yemen Security Brief

• The government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the al Houthi movement stated that they are seeking to negotiate a humanitarian ceasefire that will continue through Eid al Fitr, at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan.  The specifics of the ceasefire are still being negotiated, but representatives from Hadi’s government stated that they are seeking full implementation of UNSCR 2216.[1]

• A reported U.S. airstrike targeted an al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula-held army base near the port city of al Mukalla, Hadramawt on July 5. The airstrike killed four members of Ansar al Sharia, the insurgent wing of AQAP. [2]

• Saudi Arabia-led coalition airstrikes targeted the political headquarters of the General People’s Congress, the political party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sana’a on July 5. Additionally, a Saudi Arabia-led coalition airstrike on a marketplace in Aden’s Fayoush area killed over 45 civilians on July 6.[3] 

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab seized Barire, Awdheegle, Janaale, Wanlaweyn, Mubarak, Qoryoley, Lego, Tortorow, Buufow, and Yaq-bari Weyne in Lower Shabelle region, over the weekend, after African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces withdrew from the towns last week. AMISOM stated that its troops withdrew from the towns in order to reorganize its control over south central Somalia.[4]

• Al Shabaab militants reportedly seized Jalalaqsi, Hiraan region, following a clash with Somali troops at a nearby military base on July 5. The clash resulted in an unknown number of casualties.[5]