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: Eritrean pirates capture Yemeni fishing vessels in the Red Sea; reports of Pakistani fighters fighting alongside al Houthi rebels; Yemen and UAE further their ties through meeting on security cooperation
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab, Hizb al Islam and Ogaden National Liberation Front fighters clash over a strategic town; reports emerge of recruiting and training of Kenyans to fight for the Somalia government; EU deploying military trainers to bolster Somalia military
Yemen Security Brief
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Eritrean pirates have captured six Yemeni fishing vessels with a total of 90 crew members. The vessels were captured in the Red Sea and hauled to an Eritrean Island called Hermel. Five additional vessels are said to be in the custody of the Eritrean pirates.[1]
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Pakistani fighters have reportedly joined the ranks of the al Houthi rebels in an effort to assist in the fight against the Yemeni and Saudi militaries. Yemeni intelligence is looking into external support for the al Houthi rebels. [2]
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The Deputy Interior Ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Yemen commenced the Yemeni-UAE Security Meeting on Monday to discuss furthering their security cooperation against terrorism, drugs, and trafficking. Leaders from the countries discussed training and the exchange of security expertise when dealing with these challenges. Finally, they addressed the issue of Yemeni expatriates living in the UAE.[3]
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Clashes between al Shabaab, Hizb al Islam, and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) fighters in Hagar town left 15 dead and another 16 injured. Al Shabaab spokesman claimed to have driven back fighters from Hizb al Islam and ONLF from seizing control the town of Hagar, which is considered a strategic position. Secretary of the Islamic Organization of Hizb al Islam for foreign affairs, Sheik Abdinasir Serar, claimed victory In the Lower Jubba region over al Shabaab.[4]
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Kenyan senior government officials, allege that young Kenyans are being recruited as fighters for the Transitional Federation Government of Somalia. Forty-two Kenyans were captured in the town of Mwingi in transit to Manyani for military training. Somalia’s lack of proper identification documents allows Kenyans to pass themselves off as Somalis – thus allowing them to cross the borders with ease.[5]
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In an attempt to bolster Somalia’s military force, the European Union is planning on deploying 100 military trainers from Spain, Britain, Slovenia, Hungary, and Greece to assist in building the capacity of the Somali TFG. The mission, which still needs final EU approval, would send the trainers to Uganda and would likely be led by Spain. The goal of the mission would be to train 2,000 Somalia troops, bringing the total number of well-trained Somali troops 6,000.[6]
