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: AQAP claims attack on Emirati forces in Shabwah governorate; al Houthis claim drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia; al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clash in Taiz governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab attacks Ethiopian troops in Bakool region; al Shabaab publishes footage from attack in Lower Shabelle region; SFG and federal member states discuss presidential elections in Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief:
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed a rocket attack on the headquarters belonging to Emirati forces in southern Yemen’s Shabwah governorate on April 4. AQAP previously attacked UAE-backed security forces in southern Yemen’s Abyan governorate in mid-March.[i]
The al Houthi movement claimed launching two Qasef-2K drones toward King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait city in southern Saudi Arabia on April 6. The Saudi-led coalition previously claimed to intercept two al Houthi explosive-laden drones targeting Khamis Mushait city on April 2.[ii]
Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed along the al Akhum front of Haifan district in southwestern Yemen’s Taiz governorate on April 7. Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces previously clashed along al Akhum front in Taiz governorate in late March.[iii]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab militants clashed with Ethiopian African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces near a military base in Hudur district in central Somalia’s Bakool region on April 6. Al Shabaab attacked an Ethiopian AMISOM military base in Hudur district in early March.[iv]
Al Shabaab published footage from its attack on a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Barire in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on April 3. The photos depicted militants setting military vehicles and buildings on fire. They also showed the bodies of SNA soldiers. Somalia’s Prime Minister visited wounded SNA troops following the attack.[v]
The Somali Federal Government (SFG) held a preliminary meeting with Somali state presidents in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on April 7 to set an agenda for federal presidential elections. The SFG and state presidents failed to agree on an agenda during a meeting in Mogadishu on April 3.[vi]
[i] “AQAP Claims Rocket Strike on HQ of Emirati Forces in Shabwa,” SITE Intelligence Group, April 6, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 31, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 31, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-31-2021.
[ii] “Yemen Carries Out New Drone Strike on Saudi Airbase,” Tasnim News Agency, April 7, 2021, https://tn.ai/2480424; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 2, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, April 2, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-2-2021.
[iii] “The Army advanced in the al Akhum front, south of Taiz,” 26Sep News, April 7, 2021, https://www.26sepnews.net/2021/04/06/6666-4/; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 24, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 24, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-24-2021.
[iv] Liibaan Jeexoow, “Damaged attacks in Hudur and Baidoa,” Somalimemo, April 7, 2021, https://somalimemo.info/articles/14492/Weeraro-khasaara-dhaliyay-oo-ka-dhacay-Xudur-iyo-Baydhabo; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 3, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 3, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-3-2021.
[v] Liibaan Jeexoow, “Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, have claimed responsibility for a series of grenade attacks in the capital, Mogadishu,” Somalimemo, April 5, 2021, https://somalimemo.info/articles/14488/Alkataaib-oo-baahisay-Sawirrada-weerarkii-lagu-xasuuqay-maleeshiyaatka-dowladda-ee-deegaanka-Bariire-DAAWO; “Prime minister Roble visits wounded soldiers in Lower Shabelle,” Mustaqbal Radio, April 6, 2021, https://www.mustaqbalradio.net/prime-minister-roble-visits-wounded-soldiers-in-lower-shabelle/; “Prime Minister Roble visits wounded soldiers in Barire Awdheegle battle,” Horseed Media, April 6, 2021, https://horseedmedia.net/2021/04/06/raysal-wasaare-rooble-oo-booqday-askartii-ku-dhawaacantay-dagaalkii-bariire-awdheegle/; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 5, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, April 5, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-5-2021.
[vi] “New round of initial poll talks resume in Mogadishu,” Goobjoog, April 7, 2021, https://goobjoog.com/english/new-round-of-initial-poll-talks-resume-in-mogadishu/; “FGS-FMS consultative talks resume in Mogadishu,” Hiiraan, April 7, 2021, http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2021/Apr/182220/fgs_fms_consultative_talks_resume_in_mogadishu.aspx; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 5, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, April 5, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-5-2021.
