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: Houthi drone targets Saudi Arabia; French navy interdicts ship trafficking heroin in the Gulf of Oman; Houthis shoot down tactical drone; Yemeni Army destroys Houthi WBIEDs in Red Sea
Somalia: Al Shabaab attacks SNA base in southern Somalia; KDF ambushes al Shabaab militants in northeastern Kenya; Al Shabaab attacks Jubbaland security forces in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief
The Houthis launched an explosives-laden drone targeting a village in Jizan province, southwestern Saudi Arabia, on February 26.[i] The Saudi-led coalition intercepted the drone. The coalition said that the Houthis launched the drone from Sana’a International Airport.
A French navy vessel interdicted a fishing vessel transporting roughly 271 kilograms of heroin in the Gulf of Oman on February 26.[ii] The French navy interdicted the vessel on a known Houthi smuggling route.
The Houthis shot down a tactical drone on February 28. Houthi movement spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the Houthis shot down a ScanEagle surveillance drone operated by the Saudi army over Haradh district, Hajjah governorate, northern Yemen.[iii]
The Houthis launched two water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs) in the Red Sea off the northwestern coast of Yemen on February 26.[iv] The Yemeni Army destroyed the WBIEDs.
Somalia Security Brief
Al Shabaab militants attacked a Turkish-trained Somali National Army (SNA) Gorgor Special Forces base in Barire, Afgooi district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia.[v] The Gorgor forces repelled the attack and reportedly killed 29 al Shabaab militants.
Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) ambushed al Shabaab militants in Sarira, Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, on February 27.[vi] The KDF claimed they killed four al Shabaab militants.
Al Shabaab raided a Jubbaland forces military base near the Dariq Bridge, Kismayo, Lower Juba region, southwestern Somalia on February 28.[vii] The raid killed one soldier.
[i] Al Bawabh News, “Arab Coalition: A booby-trapped drone fell in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, without any casualties,” February 26, 2022, https://www.albawabhnews.com/4532848.
[ii] Mareb Press, “French Navy seizes a drug shipment on its way to the Houthis,” February 26, 2022, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=182489&lang=arabic.
[iii] @Yahya_Saree, Twitter, February 28, 2022, https://twitter.com/Yahya_Saree/status/1498219003285749760?s=20&t=dclvCsXDi1xWIea6aVEH1w.
[iv] Akhbar Yemen, “Destruction of two booby-trapped boats of the Houthi militia in the northwest of the Red Sea,” February 26, 2022, https://www.yemenakhbar.com/3041992.
[v] Halbeeg, " SNA Repels al-Shabaab Attack in Lower Shabbelle Region," February 26, 2022, https://en.halbeeg.com/2022/02/26/sna-repels-al-shabaab-attack-in-lower-shabelle-region/; and Hiiraan Online, "Somali Army says kills 29 Shabaab militants in southern region," February 26, 2022, http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2022/Feb/185418/somali_army_says_kills_29_shabab_militants_in_southern_region.aspx.
[vi] Puntland Post, "Kenyan forces kill al Shabaab members," February 27, 2022, https://puntlandpost.net/2022/02/27/ciidamada-kenya-oo-dilay-xubno-ka-tirsan-al-shabaab/.
[vii] Radio Risaala, " Attack on the outskirts of Kismayo and casualties," February, 28, 2022, https://radiorisaala.com/weerar-ka-dhacay-duleedka-kismaayo-khasaaro-ka-dhashay/; and Radio al Furqaan, "Al Shabaab launches operation in southern and central Somalia,” February 28, 2022, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2022/02/al-shabaab-oo-xalay-howlgallo-ka-fuliyay-koonfurta-iyo-bartamaha-soomaaliya/.
