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: Former president of South Yemen sends letter to UNSC; IED targets al Houthis in Sana’a; President Hadi forms two committees to investigate suicide bombings in Sana’a

Horn of Africa: Suspected al Shabaab militants assassinate police officer in Mombasa, Kenya; unidentified gunmen target Kenyan official at his residence in Nairobi, Kenya

Yemen Security Brief

  • Former president of South Yemen, Ali Salem al Beidh, wrote a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on October 10, calling on the UNSC to support the right of Southerners to be independent from the North. Additionally, the Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Party, Salah Sayadi, called for independence from the North on October 10 and claimed that Southern Yemen will gain independence on November 30.[1]
  • Unidentified assailants planted an improvised explosive device (IED) near al Ashash highway in Sana’a on October 9. Yemeni security forces found and dismantled the device before it detonated. Unverified reports indicate the bomb may have been targeting al Houthis.[2]
  • President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi formed two committees in Sana’a on October 10 to investigate the October 9 bombings of an al Houthi gathering in Sana’a and a military checkpoint in Hadramawt. Additionally, al Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam al Houthi claimed that the October 9 bombings were part of a foreign conspiracy.[3]

Horn of Africa

  • Three Suspected al Shabaab militants shot and killed a police officer guarding a casino in Mombasa, Kenya on October 9. The suspects successfully escaped and remain at large.[4]
  • Four unidentified gunmen attempted to forcefully enter the residence of the Kenyan National Land Commission chairman, Muhamad Swazuri, before being fired upon by security guards. Swazuri’s guards killed one assailant, while the remaining three escaped.[5] 

[1] “Al Beidh directs a message to the UN Security Council and urging him to support the right of the south to independence,” Aden al Ghad, October 10, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://adenalghad.net/news/126654/#.VDfn0WddXTo
“Party secretary-general of Yemeni calls for disengagement between the north and south and say that the south will get independence in the 30th of November,” Aden al Ghad, October 10, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://adenalghad.net/news/126661/#.VDfn-2ddXTo
[2] “Yemeni Interior says it has overturned an explosive device planted in a street in Sanaa,” al Masdar, October 9, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/62753
Twitter User Hussain Albukhaiti, October 10, 2014. Available: https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/520559284292055040
[3] “Convictions for the bombings of Yemen, Hadi ordered an investigation,” Aden al Ghad, October 10, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://adenalghad.net/news/126669/#.VDfpdGddXTo
“Houthi armed group accused foreign parties of being behind the suicide bombing in Sana’a,” al Masdar, October 9, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/62744
“Yemeni Interior says it has overturned an explosive device planted in a street in Sanaa,” al Masdar, October 9, 2014 [Arabic]. Available: http://almasdaronline.com/article/62753
[4] “Police suspects Al Shabaab in the murder of Mombasa officer,” the Star, October 10, 2014. Available: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-193334/police-suspects-al-shabaab-murder-mombasa-officer
[5] “Gunmen try to invade Muhamed Swazuri’ residence,” Standard Digital, October 9, 2014. Available: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000137586/gunmen-try-to-invade-muhamed-swazuri-residence?pageNo=1
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