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: Anti-al Houthi forces seize border crossing in Hadramawt governorate

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab detonates SVBIED targeting Emirati officials; elder killed in Mogadishu

Yemen Security Review

  • Anti-al Houthi forces loyal to the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi took control of the Wadayah border crossing in Hadramawt governorate on June 23. The al Houthis control three other border crossings along the Saudi-Yemeni border, blocking Yemeni civilians from seeking shelter from the conflict in neighboring Saudi Arabia.[1] 

Horn of Africa Security Review

  • Al Shabaab detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) targeting a vehicle carrying Emirati officials in Mogadishu on June 24. The attack resulted in at least ten causalities, but Somali officials stated that the targeted officials were not among the dead. This attack is al Shabaab’s third SVBIED attack since Ramadan began on June 17 and the second in Mogadishu.[2]       
  • A third Somali elder was killed by unknown means in Siinay Junction, Mogadishu, on June 23. Elders Xassan Oog and Mumin Barre were killed in Beledweyne, Gedo region, on June 23 and June 20, respectively. Somali officials believe al Shabaab is behind the deaths. [3]

[1] “Anti-Houthi forces in Yemen seize Saudi border crossing” Reuters, June 24, 2015. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/24/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0P40D120150624
[2]Mohamed, Hamza, “Deadly car bomb targets Emirati officials in Somalia,” al Jazeera, June 24, 2015. Available: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/deaths-reported-car-bomb-hits-somalia-150624110319517.html
“Al Shabaab suicide car bomb targets UAE delegation in Mogadishu,” Radio Dalsan, June 24, 2015. Available: http://www.radiodalsan.com/2015/06/24/al-shabaab-suicide-car-bomb-targets-uae-delegation-in-mogadishu/
[3] “Elder dead in Mogadishu,” Mohamed Moalimu, Twitter, June 23, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/MOALIMUU/status/613369770474369025
“Xassan Oog killed in Baladwayne,” Live from Mogadishu, Twitter, June 22, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/Daudoo/status/613020717425270784
 “Al Shabaab may be behind elders’ deaths,” Live from Mogadishu, Twitter, June 22, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/Daudoo/status/613022974174711810
“Mumin Barre killed in Baladwayne,” MOALIMUU, Twitter, June 20, 2015. Available: https://twitter.com/MOALIMUU/status/612240864409038848
 
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