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: US and Saudi Arabia discuss support for Yemen’s truce; the Houthis reject US-Saudi support and denounce truce; Yemeni Army claims to arrest two IS-Yemen commanders in southeastern Yemen
Somalia: Danab clears a checkpoint in southern Somalia; al Shabaab IED targets Hirshabelle State officials in south-central Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
US President Joe Biden discussed Yemen during his meeting with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on July 16.[i] Following their meeting, the US and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement pledging to support negotiations to expand and extend Yemen’s truce agreement.[ii] The statement also expressed the two countries’ continued support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council.
The Houthis’ Supreme Political Council expressed their rejection of US-Saudi involvement in Yemen on July 16 in response to the Saudi-US meeting.[iii] The Houthis’ statement added that the truce “represented a shocking and disappointing experience that cannot be repeated in the future.”
Yemeni media reported the Yemeni Army captured two Islamic State-Yemen commanders in Hadramawt governorate on July 17.[iv]
Somalia Security Brief:
US-trained Danab Special Forces cleared an al Shabaab checkpoint near Laba Carish, Jamaame district, Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on July 17.[v] Danab officials claimed to kill five militants, including one officer. Al Shabaab used the checkpoint to tax passing vehicles.
Al Shabaab militants detonated a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) targeting Hirshabelle State officials in Hotel Shabelle, Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region, south-central Somlia, on July 17.[vi] Hirshabelle officials claimed the SVBIED killed three people and wounded seven others, including two regional ministers.[vii] Hotel Shabelle served as a frequent meeting place of Hirshabelle State and Middle Shabelle region ministers.
[i] Saudi Press Agency, “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques meets the President of the United States of America,” July 16, 2022, https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=ar&newsid=2370165&lang=ar.
[ii] SMA News, “Joint political statement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America,” July 16, 2022, https://smanews.org/%d8%a3%d8%ae%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b9%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a9/288403/.
[iii] Saba Net (Houthi), “The Supreme Political expresses its rejection of any outcomes issued by Biden’s visit that affect the sovereignty of Yemen,” July 16, 2022, https://www.saba.ye/ar/news3194936.htm.
[iv] Khabar Agency, “The security authorities in Hadramawt arrest prominent leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS,” July 18, 2022, https://www.khabaragency.net/news173839.html.
[v] SONNA, “Danab forces kill five al Shabaab terrorists,” July 17, 2022, https://sonna.so/en/2022/07/18/danab-forces-kills-five-al-shabab-terrorists/.
[vi] Radio al Furqaan, “A suicide attack targeted a center where officials from Hirshabelle were located in Jowhar,” July 17, 2022, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2022/07/weerar-nafhurnimo-ah-oo-lala-beegsaday-xarun-ay-ku-sugnaayee-masuuliyiin-ka-tirsan-hirshabelle-oo-ka-dhacay-jowhar/.
[vii] SONNA, “At least three people were killed and seven others wounded in the terrorist attack in Jowhar,” July 17, 2022, https://sonna.so/en/2022/07/17/at-least-3-people-were-killed-and-7-others-wounded-in-the-terrorist-attack-in-jowhar/.
