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 mortars Shabwah Defense Forces position in Shabwah; Chairman of PLC Consultation and Reconciliation Commission meets with EU Ambassador to Yemen; AQAP conducts IED attack in Lahj
Somalia: SNA forces clear contested areas in central Somalia with US air support; SNA and local forces clear a town in southern Somalia; al Shabaab attacks an airport in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters mortared a Shabwah Defense Forces position near al Mukhatat, al Musayniah district, Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen, on July 25.[i]
Presidential Leadership Council Chairman of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission Mohammad al Ghathi met with EU Ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Vinals to discuss peacemaking efforts on July 28.[ii]
AQAP fighters detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting an Islah-backed 4th Mountain Infantry Brigade military vehicle on the Tur al Baha axis, near Naqil Haijat al Abd, al Maqatrah district, Lahj governorate, on July 25.[iii] The attack inflicted five casualties.
Somalia Security Brief
The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted a joint operation with likely US aerial support near Daru Ni’ma, Adan Yabal district, Middle Shabelle region, central Somalia, on July 28.[iv] The Federal Government of Somalia reported that the operation killed at least 100 al Shabaab militants and destroyed numerous vehicles.[v]
The SNA and local militia cleared the area near El-Dhun Adegow, Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on July 26.[vi] The operation reportedly killed 60 al Shabaab militants.
Al Shabaab militants attacked the Wajid airport in Bakool region, southern Somalia, on July 25.[vii] Al Shabaab claimed to kill eight Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) soldiers.[viii] SNA and ENDF forces successfully repelled the attack and claimed to kill 25 militants.[ix]
[i] SITE, “AQAP Claims Mortar Strike on Position of Shabwah Defense Force, Provides Photo Documentation”, July 28, 2023, available by subscription at: ent.siteintelgroup.com.
[ii] al Thawrah,” Presidency of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission meets with the Ambassador of the European Union”, July 28, 2023, https://althawra-news.net/news126246.html.
[iii] Yemen Future,” Yemen: Three dead and two wounded when an explosive device exploded in a military vehicle in Al-Maqqtrah district, north of Lahj governorate.” July 25, 2023, https://yemenfuture.net/news/15734.
[iv] SONNALIVE, Twitter, July 28, 2023, https://twitter.com/SONNALIVE/status/1684852984054755329?s=20.
[v] Hiiraan Online, “Al-Adalah minister ‘Today’s operation killed more than 100 Al-Shabaab fighters,’” July 28, 2023, https://www.hiiraan.com/news/2023/July/wararka_maanta28-184962.htm?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter.
[vi] SONNALIVE, Twitter, July 26, 2023, https://twitter.com/SONNALIVE/status/1684218747354054660?s=20.
[vii] sntvnews1, Twitter, July 25, 2023, https://twitter.com/sntvnews1/status/1683802927033466880?s=20.
[viii] Somalimemo, “Video+Photos: The bodies of Ethiopian soldiers who were killed in the Wajid airport attack,” July 28, 2023, https://somalimemo.com/articles/18384/VideoSawirro-Meydadka-Ciidankii-Itoobiya-ee-lagu-dilay-weerarkii-garoonka-Waajid.
[ix] SONNA, “Somali National Army kills 25 Al-Shabaab militants near Wajid district,” July 25, 2023, https://sonna.so/en/somali-national-army-kills-25-al-shabaab-militants-near-wajid-district/.
