Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: AQAP confirms death of leader Nasser al Wahayshi; al Houthis arrive to UN-led talks in Geneva  

Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab blast targets Somali military vehicle, killing three

Yemen Security Brief

• Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) confirmed on June 16 the death of AQAP leader and al Qaeda general manager Nasser al Wahayshi in a U.S. targeted airstrike. AQAP senior leader Khaled Batarfi announced Wahayshi’s death and stated that AQAP military leader Qasim al Raymi will replace Wahayshi. It is unclear when Wahayshi died, although there was a reported U.S. airstrike on June 9 in al Mukalla that was rumored to have killed a senior leader.[1]

• A delegation of al Houthis arrived in Geneva for UN-led political talks with Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government on June 16 after being delayed due to logistical issues. Both sides will reportedly not talk face-to-face and will instead work through mediators.[2]

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a Somali armed forces vehicle in Hawaabdi, southwest of Mogadishu, on June 16, killing at least three Somali soldiers.[3]