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: Suspected U.S. airstrike kills three AQAP militants; AQAP militants kill eight Yemeni police and a Special Forces officer in Shabwah; UN envoy to Yemen believes President Hadi will remain in office past transition period; General People’s Congress protest member’s suspension; WFP begins cash transfers for food cost program

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab kills 22 police and civilians in Beledweyne, Hiraan region; AMISOM considers new offensive; Ambassador Annadif meets with Baidoa leaders; Prime Minister Shirdon demands end to KM-50 conflict

Yemen Security Brief

  • A suspected U.S. airstrike killed three suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants in Hadramawt governorate on November 19.[1]
  • Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants ambushed and killed eight Yemeni police officers at a gas exporting facility in the Belhaf terminal of Shabwah governorate on November 18. Earlier that day, a Special Forces officer was abducted and shot to death near the same location in Shabwah governorate.[2]
  • The UN envoy to Yemen announced that President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi will likely remain in office past the two-year transition period due to delays from political opponents, on November 18.[3]
  • The General People’s Congress (GPC) protested the suspension of Najeeba Mutahar from the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) on November 18.[4]
  • World Food Program kicked off a program to provide cash transfers to cover the food costs of 57,000 households in Taiz and Ibb governorates in Yemen, on November 19.[5]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Al Shabaab militants killed at least 22 police and civilians during an attack on a police station in Beledweyne, Hiraan region on November 19. The militants detonated a car bomb outside of the police station, and then proceeded to gun down officers inside.[6]
  • A Ugandan AMISOM commander stated that AMISOM would consider a new offensive upon arrival of the additional 4,000 troops, on November 18.[7]
  • AU Special Representative to Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, met with community elders in Baidoa to discuss security and stabilization efforts on November 18.[8]
  • Somali Prime Minister Shirdon demanded the warring sides of KM-50 cease hostilities in Lower Shabelle region, on November 18.[9]

 



[1] “Yemen drone strike kills three ‘Qaeda’ suspects,” AFP, November 19, 2013. Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hrqJSA8X6TY-sFnZ0XJaZerpeZaA?docId=2c57dd6e-54ef-48c1-b513-8a2b662f98cc
[2] “Eight Yemeni policemen killed near gas export facility,” Daily Stay, November 18, 2013. Available: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Nov-18/238206-eight-police-killed-in-south-yemen-ambush-security.ashx#axzz2l6tj3d6w
“Eight police killed in south Yemen ambush,” AFP, November 19, 2013. Available: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j7LeljNlxdtgA-OdO4D4Vm0Bke-A?docId=dbf42634-39a7-4003-9f39-eaa1275c22d8
[3] “UN envoy to Yemen says country’s president will stay on for longer than 2 years transition,” Washington Post, November 18, 2013. Available: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-envoy-to-yemen-says-countrys-president-will-stay-on-for-longer-than-2-years/2013/11/18/dfa4a6fa-5081-11e3-9ee6-2580086d8254_story.html
[4] “GCP angered by NDC member’s expulsion,” Yemen Times, November 19, 2013. Available: http://www.yementimes.com/en/1730/news/3141/GPC-angered-by-NDC-member%E2%80%99s-expulsion.htm
[5] “WFP Introduces Cash Transfers to Assist Food-Insecure Households in Yemen,” Trust, November 19, 2013. Available: http://www.trust.org/item/20131119084914-0fvv6/?source=hppartner
[6] “Al Shabaab fighters storm Beledweyne police station,” Bar Kulan, November 19, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/11/19/al-shabaab-fighters-attack-beledweyn-police-station/
[7] “Beefed-up Somalia peacekeepers may renew offensive on al Shabaab,” Reuters, November 18, 2013. Available: http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABRE9AH0SK20131118?sp=true
[8] “Ambassador Annadif arrives in Baidoa town,” Bar Kulan, November 18, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/11/18/ambassador-annadif-arrives-in-baidoa-town/
[9] “Prime Minister Shirdon calls on warring sides in KM-50 to cease hostilities,” Bar Kulan, November 18, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/11/18/prime-minister-shirdon-calls-on-warring-sides-in-km-50-to-cease-hostilities/
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