Gulf of Aden Security Review
A regularly updated review of both Yemen and the Horn of Africa covering topics related to security, governance, and militant activity.
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition forces launch airstrikes on al Houthis in al Bayda governorate; Hadi government–aligned forces exchange artillery with STC-aligned forces in Abyan governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab militant detonates SVBIED targeting SNA base in Somali capital; unidentified militants attempt assassinating Somali intelligence official in central Somalia; US Department of State releases travel advisory for northern Mozambique
Yemen Security Brief:
Saudi-led coalition forces launched airstrikes targeting al Houthi positions in Quraishyah district in central Yemen’s al Bayda governorate on August 10. Forces aligned with the internationally recognized Yemeni government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi reportedly clashed with al Houthi militants in Qaniya front in al Bayda governorate on August 9.[1]
Hadi government–aligned forces exchanged artillery with forces aligned with the Transitional Political Council of the South (STC) near Shaqra city in southern Yemen’s Abyan governorate on August 10. Hadi government–aligned forces previously clashed with STC-aligned forces in Abyan governorate on August 6.[2]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
An al Shabaab militant detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Wardhigley district of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on August 8. The blast killed at least nine SNA soldiers and wounded about 20 more, according to local officials and witnesses. Al Shabaab claimed killing over 24 SNA soldiers and wounding 32 others. An al Shabaab militant detonated a suicide vest targeting SNA soldiers at a restaurant in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab district on August 3.[3]
Unidentified militants attempted to assassinate a senior Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officer in Guriel town in central Somalia’s Galgadud region on August 7. The grenade attack targeting the NISA agent’s house caused no casualties. An al Shabaab grenade attack killed a Somali district commissioner in Wanlaweyn town in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on August 2.[4]
The US Department of State released a travel advisory for northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province on August 7. The release advised people against travelling to most of Cabo Delgado’s districts, including its capital, due to the presence of armed extremists. The Islamic State’s Central Africa Province claimed attacking two Mozambican military posts in Cabo Delgado province on August 6.[5]
[1] “The coalition targets Houthi militia gatherings and military vehicles in al Bayda,” 7adramout, August 10, 2020, https://www.7adramout.net/aden24/7461872/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A2%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1.html.
[2] “Now there is an exchange of artillery shelling between the southern forces and the brotherhood militia in Shaqra,” Adnlng, August 10, 2020, http://adnlng.info/news/152008/; and Matthew Eady and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 7, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 7, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-07-2020.
[3] Mohamed Olad Hassan, “Suicide Bombing on Somalia Military Base Kills Nine,” Voice of America, August 8, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/africa/suicide-bombing-somalia-military-base-kills-nine; “Shabaab Reports 56 Casualties as Initial Toll of Suicide Bombing at SNA Base in Mogadishu,” SITE Intelligence Group, August 8, 2020, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Matthew Eady and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 3, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 3, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-3-2020.
[4] “Somali intelligence official survives bomb attack,” Garowe, August 9, 2020, https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somali-intelligence-official-survives-bomb-attack; and Matthew Eady and Samuel Bloebaum, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 3, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 3, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-3-2020.
[5] “Mozambique Travel Advisory,” US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, August 7, 2020, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mozambique-travel-advisory.html; and Samuel Bloebaum and Matthew Eady, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 7, 2020,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 7, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-07-2020/
