Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Al Houthi militants clash with tribal forces in Ma’rib; Hadramawt Tribal Alliance announces recruitment effort; popular resistance fighters retake government infrastructure in al Dhaleh

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab targets UN with IED in Mudug region; security increased across Kenya to prevent al Shabaab attacks

Yemen Security Brief

• Al Houthi militants continued clashes with tribesmen in Sirwah and Majzar, Ma’rib on April 28. A reported 40 al Houthis and 12 tribal militants were killed in the clashes. The al Houthi movement has gradually been advancing towards Ma’rib city, the capital of the governorate.[1]

• The Hadramawt Tribal Alliance announced plans to recruit a force of 20,000 fighters to repel any al Houthi advances into the governorate.[2]

• Popular resistance fighters reportedly seized control of government buildings following heavy clashes with al Houthi militants in al Dhaleh city, al Dhaleh, on April 28. A reported 26 people were killed in the fighting.[3]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a UN vehicle in Galkayo, Mudug region on April 28. Al Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack, which wounded two UN guards.[4]

• Security forces in Kenya increased security across the country on April 27 after warnings of a possible al Shabaab high-profile attack. A Nairobi police official reported that al Shabaab was planning attacks on government buildings and public meeting places in Nairobi.[5]