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: Security Belt Forces prohibit demonstrations in Aden; Yemeni Army reports large-scale Houthi attack in central Yemen
Somalia: Al Shabaab executes an SNA soldier in southern Somalia; Danab clears villages in central Somalia; SNA secures villages in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
The Southern Transitional Council (STC)-affiliated Security Belt Forces announced a ban on all demonstrations in Aden, southern Yemen, on April 20.[i] Security Belt Forces said the ban is a security measure to protect state leaders in the city. The new Yemeni government relocated to Aden from Saudi Arabia on April 17.[ii]
The Yemeni Army reported that the Houthis launched a “large-scale” attack on army positions near Ma’rib city, Ma’rib governorate, central Yemen, on April 20.[iii] The army did not provide any detail on the precise locations or extent of the attack.
Somalia Security Brief:
Al Shabaab publicly executed a Somali National Army (SNA) soldier near Afgoi, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on April 20.[iv]
US-trained SNA Danab special forces cleared al Shabaab from villages in Hobyo and Harardhere districts, Mudug region, central Somalia, on April 19.[v] Danab officials claimed they killed at least ten al Shabaab militants.[vi]
SNA forces secured villages near Janale, Marka district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on April 19.[vii] SNA officials claimed they captured an al Shabaab officer and destroyed Shabaab courts.[viii]
[i] Hadramawt, “The STC prevents the organization of protests in Aden,” April 20, 2022, http://www.7adramout.net/bawabatii/7852247/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86.html.
[ii] Al Mashhad Al Yemeni, “Amid strict security measures, the Yemeni prime minister and ministers return to Aden,” April 17, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/229938.
[iii] Akhbar Yemen, “Urgent: the Army announces a military operation and a massive attack in these moments, hours after the Presidential Council was sworn in,” April 20, 2022, https://www.yemenakhbar.com/3078838.
[iv]Caasimada, “Al Shabaab executes Farah Ahmed Omar in public,” April 20, 2022, https://www.caasimada.net/al-shabaab-oo-goob-fagaare-ah-ku-toogatay-faarax-axmed-cumar/.
[v] Radio Risaala, “Danab forces seize areas from al Shabaab,” April 19, 2022, https://radiorisaala.com/254365-2/.
[vi] Halbeeg, “Over ten al Shabaab fighters killed in central Somalia,” April 20, 2022, https://en.halbeeg.com/2022/04/20/over-ten-al-shabab-fighters-killed-in-central-somalia/.
[vii] SONNA, “SNA conducts operations in Lower Shabelle,” April 19, 2022, https://sonna.so/en/2022/04/19/somali-national-army-conducts-operations-in-lower-shabelle-region/.
[viii] Radio Risaala, “Al Shabaab official arrested,” April 20, 2022, https://radiorisaala.com/dowladda-somalia-oo-sheegtay-in-howlgal-lagu-qabtay-sarkaal-katirsan-al-shabaab/; Radio Dalsan, “Somali National Army conducts security operations in Janaale town and destroy al Shabaab courts,” April 19, 2022, https://en.radiodalsan.com/73992/2022/04/somali-national-army-conducts-security-operations-in-janaale-town-and-destroy-al--shabaab-courts/.
