Special Security Forces (Yemen)

The Special Security Forces (Arabic: قوات الأمن الخاصة‎ Quwwatul Amn al-Khasah) (formerly known until 2013 as the Central Security Organization (Arabic: قوات الأمن المركزي‎ Quwwatul Amn al-Markazi) is a paramilitary force in Yemen under the control of the Minister of the Interior, and forms a key part of the Yemeni security establishment.[1] The force was some 50,000 strong as of 2008, before the Yemeni Crisis began, and SSF units are equipped with a range of infantry weapons and armored personnel carriers. The force also has its own extrajudicial detention facilities.[2]

Special Security Forces
قوات الأمن الخاصة
Active1980-present
Country Yemen
Allegiance Yemeni Land Forces
Branch Republican Guard
TypeParamilitary
Size~50,000 (2008)
EngagementsAl-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen
Yemeni Revolution
Yemeni Crisis
Commanders
Minister of the InteriorAhmed bin Ahmed Maisari
Chief-of-StaffGen. Mohammed Mansour al-Ghadra
Insignia
SSF flag
Former flag

History

The CSO was founded as part of Yemen's efforts to combat al-Qaeda.[3]

In 2001 Yahya Saleh, the nephew of then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh, became Chief of Staff of the CSO. Under Yahya, the CSO became stronger, better paid, and better equipped. Yahya also oversaw the formation of the CTU, which was established with funding and training from the United States.[1]

Within hours of the 2012 Sana'a bombing, an attack by Ansar al-Sharia on units of the CSF, Yahya Saleh was dismissed by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi through presidential decree.[4] Major General Fadhel Bin Yahiya al-Qusi replaced Saleh as the CSO's Chief of Staff.[5]

The Central Security Organization was renamed as the Special Security Forces following a presidential decree on 21 February 2013.

On 8 September 2014 President Hadi relieved General Fadhel Bin Yahiya al-Qusi of his command of the SSF, and appointed General Mohammed Mansour al-Ghadra in his place.[6]

Structure

Although nominally part of the Interior Ministry, the CSO under Yahya was largely autonomous, and is composed of two main parts; the Central Security Forces (CSF) and the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU). The CSF are paramilitary police that secure official buildings and infrastructure, as well as managing the dense network of security checkpoints on Yemen's highways. The CSF is also beginning to undertake covert countersurveillance at likely terrorist targets.[7]

In contrast, CTU is a far smaller force, comprising a 150-strong special forces unit that has been successful in undertaking raids throughout the country since 2003.[7]

Criticisms

Human Rights Watch has criticised the CSO, claiming that the organisation utilizes child soldiers and subjects Yemenis to arbitrary detention. Human Rights Watch has also alleged that CSF units deployed nearby had failed to prevent a killing spree carried out by pro-Saleh snipers on protesters in Sana'a on 18 March 2011, during the Yemeni revolution.[8]

References
  1. "Yemen's Military-Security Reform: Seeds of New Conflict?" (PDF). Middle East Report. International Crisis Group (N°139). 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  2. Country profile: Yemen. Library of Congress Federal Research Division (August 2008). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "European Union to support Yemen Central Security Forces". Yemen Post. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  4. "'Al-Qaeda attack' on Yemen army parade causes carnage". BBC News. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  5. "Yemen's security forces nab drunk Saudi diplomat in Sana'a". Press TV. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  6. http://www.yementimes.com/en/1815/news/4319/New-Special-Security-Forces-commander-appointed.htm
  7. Strengthening Yemeni Counterterrorism Forces: Challenges and Political Considerations. Washington Institute for Near East Policy (6 January 2010).
  8. Yemen: Transition Needs Accountability, Security Reform. Human Rights Watch (6 April 2012).

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