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 defense minister says the Houthis will fight until they liberate all of Yemen; Yemeni president says peace efforts stalled; AQAP claims responsibility for mortar attack targeting STC-backed forces in Abyan
Somalia: Al Shabaab briefly seizes recently-liberated village in central Somalia; Turkish-trained special police destroy an al Shabaab court in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief
Houthi Defense Minister Mohammed al Atifi said the Houthis will fight “until the liberation of Yemeni lands” and vowed to eject all the “invaders” of Yemen.[i]
Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi said that peace efforts with the Houthis “have not achieved any progress so far on various tracks.”[ii]
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for a June 28 mortar attack targeting Southern Transitional Council (STC)-backed forces in Wadi Omran, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on June 30.[iii]
Somalia Security Brief
Al Shabaab briefly seized Daru Ni’ma village, Adan Yabal district, Middle Shabelle region, central Somalia, on June 30.[iv] Al Shabaab destroyed the local mosque, water well, and military base while Somali National Army (SNA) forces and local militia fled the area.[v] The SNA claimed to recapture the village with local militia support.[vi]
Turkish-trained Haram’ad special police destroyed an al Shabaab court in Afgoi district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia on June 30.[vii]
[i] Mareb Press, “The Houthis Declare War Again and Talk About Two Upcoming Options,” June 30, 2023, http://www.marebpress.net/news_details.php?sid=193320.
[ii] Al Mashhad al Yemeni, “al Alimi reveals that all peace paths with the Houthi militia have faltered,” June 28, 2023, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/257917.
[iii] SITE, “AQAP Claims Mortar Attack on Position of UAE-Backed Forces in Abyan, Provides Photo Documentation,” June 30, 2023, Available by subscription at: ent.siteintelgroup.com.
[iv] Caasimada, “Al Shabaab made a surprising claim about he Daru Nicma attack,” June 30, 2023, https://www.caasimada.net/al-shabaab-oo-sheegasho-yaab-leh-kasoo-saartay-weerarkii-daaru-nicma.
[v] Puntland Post, “Al Shabaab recaptured the Daru Nicma area in the Middle Shabelle region this morning,” June 30, 2023, https://puntlandpost.net/2023/06/30/al-shabaab-oo-saaka-dib-u-qabsaday-degaanka-daaru-nimca-ee-gobolka-shabeellada-dhexe.
[vi] Radio Dalsan, “The latest news is that the army has recaptured Daru Nicma,” June 30, 2023, https://www.radiodalsan.com/wararkii-ugu-danbeeyay-ciidanka-xoogga-oo-dib-ula-wareegay-daaru-nicma.
[vii] SONNA, “Special Police Operation Dismantles Al-Shabaab Illegal Court in Afgooye, Lower Shabelle,” June 30, 2023, https://sonna.so/en/special-police-operation-dismantles-al-shabaab-illegal-court-in-afgooye-lower-shabelle.
