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: ROYG and STC forces coordinate counter-AQAP operations in southern Yemen; Houthis issue terms to continue road-reopening negotiations
Somalia: Danab special forces destroy al Shabaab bases in southern Somalia; al Shabaab IED targets Gorgor forces in Mogadishu
Yemen Security Brief:
Southern Transitional Council–backed Giants Brigades and Security Belt Forces representatives met Yemeni government (ROYG)–backed security force representatives in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on June 23.[1] The meeting between the rival factions focused on coordinating counter–al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operations in Abyan. ROYG forces and Security Belt Forces launched a joint search campaign targeting AQAP in unspecified areas of Abyan governorate on June 23.[2]
The Houthis formally rejected UN Special Envoy Grundberg’s proposed plan to reopen roads in Taiz governorate on June 22.[3] A source in the Houthis’ negotiating team said on June 23 that the group issued new terms to continue negotiations to reopen roads.[4] The source indicated the committee would only continue discussions if two “secondary roads” reopen immediately.
Somalia Security Brief:
US-trained Danab special forces attacked four al Shabaab bases in Kismayo district, Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on June 22.[5] Danab officials claimed to kill two militants and capture four others.
Al Shabaab militants detonated an improvised explosive device targeting a Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces convoy in Mogadishu on June 23.[6]
[1] Yemen Future, “Yemen: The Giants Brigades are leading a convergence effort between the government and the transitional forces in Abyan, in the wake of bloody terrorist attacks,” June 23, 2022, https://yemenfuture.net/news/8926.
[2] Hadramawt, “Sources: Legitimacy and Transitional Forces are preparing to launch a military campaign against al Qaeda in Abyan,” June 23, 2022, http://www.7adramout.net/adenghad/7875818/%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1--%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86.html.
[3] @BShtwtr, Twitter, June 22, 2022, https://twitter.com/BShtwtr/status/1539806046339960834?s=20&t=rxtGV_p0Em5C8aSiM-rBrQ.
[4] Saba News (Houthi), “The National Military Committee hands the United Nations observations on the proposal to open roads in Taiz,” June 23, 2022, https://www.saba.ye/ar/news3192126.htm.
[5] SONNA, “Danab and Jubbaland security forces kill 2 al Shabaab militants and captures 4,” June 23, 2022, https://sonna.so/en/2022/06/23/danab-and-jubbaland-security-forces-kills-2-al-shabaab-militants-captures-4/.
[6] Somalimemo, “Attacks kill and injure TFG soldiers in Somalia,” June 23, 2022, https://somalimemo.info/articles/16617/Weeraro-ay-dhimasho-iyo-dhaawac-ku-noqdeen-ciidamo-katirsan-DF-oo-ka-dhacay-Soomaaliya.
