Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 20, 2017

 Yemen: U.S. Ambassador to the UN says latest al Houthi missile attack similar to previous attacks with Iranian weapons; Saudi-led coalition promises to keep major northern port open; reported U.S. drone strike kills two AQAP militants in Ma’rib governorate, eastern Yemen; AQAP militants target Emirati-backed forces in Shabwah governorate, eastern Yemen; AQAP militants target al Houthi forces in al Bayda governorate, central Yemen

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab claims IED attack on joint U.S.-Puntland patrol in northern Somalia; ISIS militants attack SNA checkpoint in Lower Shabelle, southern Somalia; al Shabaab executes three elders in Bakool region, southern Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley stated that the December 19 al Houthi ballistic missile attack on Riyadh is similar to previous al Houthi attacks conducted with weapons provided by Iran. Haley presented evidence of Iranian military support to the al Houthi movement on December 14. Haley also proposed options for an international response to Iranian support for the al Houthi movement, including strengthening current resolutions, implementing new resolutions, and imposing new sanctions.^[1] 

The Saudi-led coalition pledged not to blockade al Hudaydah port in response to an al Houthi missile attack that targeted Riyadh on December 19. Al Hudaydah is a major port in northern Yemen that serves areas controlled by the al Houthi movement. The Saudi-led coalition previously blockaded all Yemeni ports of entry in response to an al Houthi missile attack on Riyadh on November 4 but later eased the blockade due to international pressure. The Saudi-led coalition conducted airstrikes in Shabwah, Sa’ada, Hajjah, al Jawf, and Sana’a governorates on December 19 and 20. Al Houthi movement leader Abdul Malik al Houthi defended the December 19 al Houthi missile attack as reprisal for the Saudi-led coalition blockade of al Hudaydah port and Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in northern Yemen.^[2]

A reported U.S. drone strike killed two al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants in al Kawlah area, Wadi Abidah, Ma’rib governorate, northern Yemen on December 19. A reported U.S. airstrike also targeted suspected AQAP militants in al Bayda governorate, central Yemen on December 15.^[3]

AQAP militants targeted Emirati-backed Shabwani Elite Forces with 120mm mortar and machine gun fire at al Musayniah junction, west of Ataq city, Shabwah governorate, eastern Yemen on December 19. Emirati-backed forces are attempting to clear AQAP’s strongholds in southern Yemen.^[4]

AQAP militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting al Houthi forces near the Security Department building of al Bayda city, central Yemen on December 20. AQAP militants also detonated an IED targeting al Houthi forces in Azzah area, al Bayda district on December 16. AQAP frames its attacks on al Houthi forces as in protection of Yemen’s Sunni population.^[5]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

Al Shabaab militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a joint U.S.-Puntland convoy patrolling the Galgala-Boosaaso highway in Bari region, northern Somalia, according to an al Shabaab social media account. U.S. Africa Command has not confirmed the attack. Al Shabaab has attacked Puntland security forces seven times in December.^[6] 

Both al Shabaab and the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) claimed to raid a Somali National Army (SNA) checkpoint in Afgoi, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia on December 19. Al Shabaab claimed that attack first. Al Shabaab conducts frequent attacks in Afgoi and the surrounding regions. ISIS is based in northern Somalia but has claimed isolated attacks in southern Somalia, including the November 29 killing of a SNA soldier in Afgoi that al Shabaab also claimed.^[7]

Al Shabaab militants beheaded three local elders in Abal village, Bakool region, southern Somalia on December 20. Locals stated that the beheadings were retaliation against elders who supported defected al Shabaab deputy leader Muktar Robow. A militia lead by Robow, who defected from al Shabaab to the Somali Federal Government in August 2017, clashed with al Shabaab militants in Abal on December 15. Al Shabaab controls Abal village and administers hudud punishments there.^[8]