Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Unidentified militants rob bank vehicle in Hadramawt; Taiz residents protest continued al Houthi presence in the governorate

Horn of Africa: Puntland security forces capture al Shabaab military base in Galgala mountains; Somali troops take control of town in Hiraan region; Ethiopian troops deliver humanitarian assistance in Hiraan region

Yemen Security Brief

• Unidentified militants ambushed a bank vehicle in al Mukalla, Hadramawt on January 6, reportedly robbing an estimated $200,000. Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants most recently robbed a bank on December 30 nearby in al Shahr, Hadramawt.[1]

• Citizens gathered on January 3 in the province of Taiz to demonstrate against the presence of armed al Houthi militias in the province. Al Houthis are reportedly massing around Taiz in preparation for a possible assault. Al Houthis have previously tried to enter Taiz but were rebuffed by residents.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Fighting in the Galgala mountains in northern Somalia killed at least seven al Shabaab militants and two Puntland soldiers on January 5. Puntland government official Abdulkadir Sumaysane reported that the Puntland security forces captured an al Shabaab military base in Diine Digle.[3]

• Mohamed Maalim Ahmed, the mayor of Hudur, which is the capital of Bakool region, reported that Somali National Army (SNA) troops have taken control of Abag Bedey town, about 20 km from Hudur, from al Shabaab. Ten al Shabaab militants were killed and four SNA soldiers injured in the January 6 fighting.[4]

• Ethiopian troops operating in Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate reached Bulo-Burde district in Hiraan region on January 5 with humanitarian assistance. Al Shabaab had reportedly blocked the supply routes into the region.[5]