Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: AQAP and Houthis announce prisoner swap; Houthi leader warns of “pressure options” if peace negotiations stall; STC President requests that southern independence be included in UN negotiations

Somalia: Al Shabaab launches suicide attack in Mogadishu; SNA conducts clearing operations in south-central and north-central Somalia; Likely Turkish airstrike targets al Shabaab in central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) announced a prisoner swap for two of their members held by the Houthis on February 18.[i] The Houthis publicly confirmed the swap.[ii] Arab News reports that the Houthis attempted to legitimize the exchange by claiming that the prisoners supported “aggression” against the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG).

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi gave a televised speech on February 17.[iii] He warned that the Houthis will return to “pressure options to obtain our people’s right to their wealth” if negotiations with the Saudis continue to stall.

Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Ayadrus al Zubaidi met with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg on February 21.[iv] Zubaidi emphasized the importance of including the southern issue in the UN negotiations.

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab launched a suicide raid targeting a building housing wounded local fighters from central Somalia in Abdiaziz, Mogadishu, Southern Somalia, on February 21.[v] Al Shabaab claimed to kill over 70 local fighters, while the Somali government claimed 10 civilian casualties.[vi] Somali security forces later secured the area, claiming they killed all four al Shabaab attackers.[vii]

The Somali National Army (SNA) carried out a clearing operation against al Shabaab in Mahaday, Jowhar district, Middle Shabelle region, south-central Somalia, on February 20.[viii] The operation continued through February 21, killing 42 al Shabaab militants and destroying al Shabaab hideouts and a base. [ix]

 The SNA cleared al Shabaab from Shabelow, Hobyo district, Mudug region, north-central Somalia, on February 21.[x] The attack killed at least 80 al Shabaab members.[xi] The SNA claimed 14 al Shabaab militants surrendered to the army. [xii] 

A likely Turkish airstrike targeted an al Shabaab vehicle in Shaw village, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on February 22.[xiii] The attack killed 22 al Shabaab militants.[xiv]