Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: AQAP secures mediation from an unnamed Gulf state for kidnapped UN employees

Somalia: Al Shabaab temporarily captures a town in southern Somalia; UNSC approves new African Union mission to replace AMISOM

Yemen Security Brief:

Local sources reported that an unnamed Gulf state is now mediating between local authorities and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants to secure the release of kidnapped UN employees on March 31.[1] AQAP kidnapped five UN employees in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on February 11.[2] AQAP first demanded mediation from an unidentified Gulf state on March 9.[3]

Somalia Security Brief:

Al Shabaab briefly captured Bulo Mareer in Marka district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on March 31. Al Shabaab overran two Somali National Army (SNA) bases, forcing the soldiers to flee to a nearby African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base on the outskirts of the town.[i] Al Shabaab then fired at least thirty mortars into the AMISOM base. Militants raised their flag, gave sermons, and talked with locals for several hours before voluntarily retreating.[ii]

The UN Security Council approved the new African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to replace AMISOM on March 31.[iii] The original ATMIS agreement between the Somali Federal Government and African Union planned to introduce more police and civilian components to supplement military forces, focus more on joint operations, and implement phase out plan.[iv] The first nine months are scheduled transition AMISOM to ATMIS, the next nine months will focus on joint operations, the next nine months will be separate but simultaneous operations, and AU troops will drawdown and withdraw in the final seven months.