Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Yemeni prime minister chairs cabinet meeting to discuss ceasefire deal; STC president discusses humanitarian aid and peace talks with the Danish ambassador to Yemen; Shabwani Defense Forces dismantle likely AQAP IED in Shabwah

Somalia: Al Shabaab launches a complex suicide attack on US-trained special forces base in north-central Somalia; SNA and Turkish-trained special forces secure multiple villages in southern Somalia; al Shabaab claims an attack on Turkish-trained special forces in north-central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

The Yemeni prime minister chaired a cabinet meeting on April 18 to discuss recent international and domestic efforts to reinstate a ceasefire and pursue a long-term political resolution.[i]

Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Aydarus al Zubaidi met with the Danish ambassador to Yemen on April 17 to discuss Danish humanitarian aid to Yemen and the results of the recent Saudi-Houthi ceasefire talks.[ii]

Shabwani Defense Forces engineers dismantled a likely al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) improvised explosive device on a road leading to a 2nd Shabwani Defense Forces Brigade outpost in Ataq, Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen on April 18.[iii]

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab launched a complex attack involving suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices targeting a US-trained special forces base in Bud Bud village, El Dheere district, Galguduud region, north-central Somalia, on April 19.[iv] Al Shabaab claimed they overran the base and inflicted at least 50 casualties.[v] Somali government–affiliated media claimed Somali forces repelled the attack.[vi] Neither side has provided pictures to support their claims at the time of publishing.

The Somali National Army and Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces secured several villages in Awdigle and Janale districts, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on April 19.[vii] 

Al Shabaab claimed to ambush Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces near Ali Yabal village, El Dheere district, Galguduud region, north-central Somalia, on April 19.[viii] Al Shabaab claimed the attack killed four Gorgor soldiers, including a general.[ix]