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: Yemen’s warring parties agree to a two-month ceasefire; Houthis violate ceasefire in six governorates across Yemen; Houthis reinforce positions in northern and central Yemen
Somalia: US-trained forces clear a village in central Somalia; South West State security forces secure villages in southern Somalia; al Shabaab shells an Ethiopian AMISOM base in southern Somalia; al Shabaab raids a Kenyan AMISOM base in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
The Hadi government, the Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis agreed to a UN-brokered, two-month ceasefire on April 1.[i] The parties reached the ceasefire amidst intra-Yemeni peace talks in Riyadh. The parties also agreed to allow fuel ships to enter Hudaydah port and to resume commercial flights from Sana’a International Airport. They agreed to future meetings to discuss opening roads in Taiz governorate and elsewhere in Yemen.
The Houthis attacked Yemeni Army positions in Raghwan, northern Ma’rib governorate, central Yemen, on April 2.[ii] The Houthis’ attack violated the UN-brokered ceasefire in Yemen. The Houthis also attacked Yemeni Army positions in five other Yemeni governorates beginning April 3.[iii]
The Houthis reportedly began moving personnel and equipment into Ma’rib governorate, central Yemen, and Hajjah governorate, northern Yemen, on April 3.[iv] The Houthis reportedly moved 20 military vehicles to the frontlines in al Jubah district, Ma’rib governorate. Military sources reported the Houthis had sent an unknown number of military vehicles to Hayran district, Hajjah governorate.
Somalia Security Brief:
US-trained Somali National Army (SNA) Danab special forces cleared al Shabaab from Wisil village, Hobyo district, Mudug region, central Somalia, on April 4.[v] Danab officials claimed they killed seven al Shabaab militants and captured a vehicle carrying improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Al Shabaab attacked Wisil on March 30 and burned several houses.
South West State security forces secured villages in Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on April 2.[vi]
Al Shabaab fired 10 mortars at an Ethiopian African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base in Berdale, Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on April 3.[vii]
Al Shabaab raided a Kenyan AMISOM base in Hosingo, Badhadhe district, Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on April 3.[viii]
[i] OSESGY UN, “PRESS STATEMENT BY THE UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR YEMEN HANS GRUNDBERG ON A TWO-MONTH TRUCE,” April 1, 2022, https://osesgy.unmissions.org/press-statement-un-special-envoy-yemen-hans-grundberg-two-month-truce.
[ii] Mareb Press, “Hours after its entry into force…Houthi turns against the armistice and escalates militarily on these fronts,” April 3, 2022, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=183293&lang=arabic.
[iii] Al Montasaf, “The Iranian Houthi militia committed a series of violations of the armistice on various fronts,” April 4, 2022, http://almontasaf.net/news66740.html; Al Bawaba, “The Yemeni Army accuses al-Houthi of violating the armistice for the second day in a row,” April 4, 2022, https://www.albawaba.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7-1472306; Al Mashhad Al Yemeni, “Urgent: The battles are the fiercest between the army and the Houthis in Ma’rib, and heavy weapons have entered the line of confrontation,” April 4, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/229123; Khabar Agency, “Al-Houthi militia launches attacks with drones on sites northwest of al-Dhaleh,” April 4, 2022, https://www.khabaragency.net/news167912.html; Al Bawabh News, “Al-Houthi’s violation of the armistice threatens the completion of the peace process in Yemen.. 54 violations have been monitored in 6 governorates since the agreement was concluded.. and the army is responding to a ground attack west of Ma’rib,” April 4, 2022, https://www.albawabhnews.com/4555728; Al Montasaf, “Dead and wounded in fierce battles south of the city of Ma’rib, and the militia pushes reinforcements,” April 4, 2022, http://almontasaf.net/news66737.html; Al Mashhad Al Yemeni, “Urgent: The army announces that the Houthi militia has sent human reinforcements and military vehicles towards its sites in Hajjah,” April 4, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/229126.
[iv] Al Mashhad Al Yemeni, “Urgent: The army announces that the Houthi militia has sent human reinforcements and military vehicles towards its sites in Hajjah,” April 4, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/229126; Al Montasaf, “Dead and wounded in fierce battles south of the city of Ma’rib, and the militia pushes reinforcements,” April 4, 2022, http://almontasaf.net/news66737.html.
[v] Hiiraan Online, “Seven al Shabaab fighters killed in central Somalia,” April 4, 2022, http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2022/Apr/185716/seven_al_shabab_fighters_killed_in_central_somalia.aspx.
[vi] Somali Dispatch, “South West security forces arrest members of al Shabaab ,” April 2, 2022, https://www.somalidispatch.com/latest-news/south-west-security-forces-arrest-members-of-al-shabaab/.
[vii] Radio al Furqaan, “Heavy shelling hits Ethiopian military Base in Bardale district,” April 3, 2022, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2022/04/duqeyn-culus-oo-lagu-garaacay-saldhiga-xabashida-ee-degmada-bardaale/.
[viii] Radio Risaala, “Attack on Kenyan military base,” April 3, 2022, https://radiorisaala.com/wafdi-ka-socda-dowladda-jabuuti-oo-gaaray-magaalada-hargeysa/.
