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: Demonstrations continue in Lahij province; fate of Yemeni pilot unclear; Ministry of Public Health and Population concerned

Horn of Africa: Heavy fighting in Mogadishu killed at least ten civilians and injured over two dozen others; three people injured in Galkayo explosion targeting foreigner; Puntland has agreement with outside security company; conference in Mombasa drafting new charter; over fifty chieftains detained in Qardo in Puntland

Yemen Security Brief

  • The anti-government demonstrations in Hawta, the capital of Lahij province, have continued into a fourth day. In addition to the two who were seriously injured, at least eight others have been arrested. Protestors have closed down the Sana'a-Aden highway by burning tires and placing rocks on it.[1]

  • The fate of a MiG pilot whose plane went down in Amran province on Monday is still unclear. The military attributes the crash to a technical fault, while local sources report that the al Houthi rebels brought the plane down.[2]

  • The Ministry of Public Health and Population reports that the number of reported cases of swine flu has reached 4,230. The ministry is also concerned by the spread of dengue fever in Taiz province.[3]

 Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Heavy fighting between government forces and Islamists in Mogadishu killed at least ten civilians and injured over twenty-five others. Islamist militants fired mortars at the Presidential Palace Villa Somalia, to which the government forces responded by shelling the areas from which the mortars came.[4]

  • Three people were injured in an explosion that appears to have targeted foreign workers in Galkayo. Witnesses report the blast was caused by a remote controlled land mine and that Ahlu Sunna Waljamaía forces came to the scene afterwards. It is unclear who is responsible.[5]

  • Puntland has entered into an agreement with a Kuwait-based security company, Threat Management Group, who will be forming a partnership with the government in order to combat piracy and who will conduct an independent assessment of Puntlandís security and infrastructure.[6] 

  • A civil society conference is taking place in Mombasa with the goal of drafting a new charter for Somalia. A number of experts and specialists, both Somali and foreign, have contributed to the new charter.[7]

  • Over fifty chieftains have been arrested by security personnel in Qardo in Puntland. Those arrested have been accused of encouraging youths to participate in activities that destabilize the state. Puntland deployed additional troops to the town in order to address any future security concerns.[8]



[1] "2 Critically Injured, Arrest as Lahj Motorcyclist Protest Thwarted," Yemen Post, December 10, 2009. Available: http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=1650&MainCat=3
 
[2] "Fate of MIG in Amran, Pilot Undecided," Yemen Post, December 10, 2009. Available: http://www.yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=1645&MainCat=3
 
[3] "Cases of Swine Flue in Yemen Reach 4230," Saba Net, December 8, 2009. Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news200111.htm
 
[4] "Civilians Killed in Mogadishu Shelling," Garowe Online, December 9, 2009. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Civilians_killed_in_Mogadishu_shelling.shtml
 
[5] "Blasts Targets Foreigners in Galkayo," Mareeg Online, December 10, 2009. Available: http://mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=14546&tirsan=3
 
[6] "TMG Security Company Signs Agreement with Puntland State of Somalia," Garowe Online, December 10, 2009. Available: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Press_Releases_32/TMG_Security_Company_Signs_Agreement_with_Puntland_State_of_Somalia.shtml
 
[7] "Civil Society Conference Produce New Somali Charter," Mareeg Online, December 10, 2009. Available: http://mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=14550&tirsan=3
 
[8] "More than 50 Chieftains Detained in Puntland State," Somaliweyn Media Center, December 9, 2009. Available: http://www.somaliweyn.org/pages/news/Dec_09/9Dec26.html
View Citations
 
TIMELINE
Arrow down red
Jan '10
Dec '09
Nov '09