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: Al Houthis shell mosque in Damaj, Sa’ada; Yemeni airstrikes in Abyan killed five militants; gunmen kill security officer in Hadramawt; ICRC evacuates injured people from Damaj; Yemeni foreign minister meets with U.S. official

Horn of Africa: Kenya indicates upcoming operations against al Shabaab; Somali forces conducted demining operations in Dhusamareb town, Galgudud region

Yemen Security Brief

  • Al Houthis shelled the Dar al Hadith mosque in Damaj, Sa’ada governorate during morning prayers on November 8. The shelling killed two people and wounded six others.[1]
  • The Yemeni Ministry of the Interior announced that airstrikes in al Mahfad, Abyan governorate on November 7 killed five al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members and wounded several others.[2]
  • Unknown gunmen riding a motorcycle shot and killed a security officer working at the Sayun airport in Hadramawt governorate on November 8.[3]
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) evacuated 44 injured people from Damaj, Sa’ada governorate on November 8.[4]
  • Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al Qirbi met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs Barbara Leaf on November 8 to discuss the National Dialogue Conference (NDC).[5]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

  • Kenyan AMISOM officials indicated upcoming operations against al Shabaab strongholds in Gedo and Middle and Lower Jubba regions by telling civilians to avoid militant camps and roadblocks, on November 7.[6]
  • Somali officials conducted demining operations in Dhusamareb town, Galgudud region following the death of two civilians to a mine, on November 8.[7]

[1] “Breaking: Killed and Wounded in Houthi Artillery Shelling on Mosque in Damaj,” Aden Post, November 8, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://aden-post.com/news/11044/
[2] “Five Killed from AQAP in Air Strikes in Abyan,” Aden Post, November 8, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://aden-post.com/news/11045/
[3] “Assassination of Security Official in Hadramawt,” Sada Aden, November 8, 2013 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.sadaaden.com/read-news/30099
[4] Yemen: ICRC Evacuates 44 Severely Wounded People from Dammaj,” ICRC, November 8, 2013. Available: http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2013/11-08-yemen-dammaj-evacuation.htm
[5] “FM Meets With U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State,” Saba News, November 7, 2013. Available: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news330033.htm
[6] “Kenya tells Somalis to avoid rebel sites, hints at new strikes,” Reuters, November 7, 2013. Available: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/07/us-kenya-somalia-idUSBRE9A60TP20131107
[7] “Demining exercise underway in Hanan-bure, near Dhusamareb,” Bar Kulan, November 8, 2013. Available: http://www.bar-kulan.com/2013/11/08/demining-exercise-underway-in-hanan-bure-near-dhusamareb/
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