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.
The Gulf of Aden Security Review will resume on Monday, March 22.
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition intercepts al Houthi explosive-laden boat off Yemeni coast; pro-Iranian media claims al Houthis seize dam in Ma’rib governorate; al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clash in Taiz governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab promotes educational initiatives in Bay and Bakool regions; al Shabaab interviews former prisoner from Bari region
Yemen Security Brief:
The Saudi-led coalition claimed to intercept an al Houthi explosive-laden boat near the port of Salif in western Yemen’s al Hudaydah governorate on March 17. The Saudi-led coalition claimed to destroy two al Houthi explosive-laden drones targeting Khamis Mushait city in southern Saudi Arabia on March 16.[i]
A pro-Iranian news source claimed al Houthi forces seized control of a key dam in Sirwah district of central Yemen’s Ma’rib governorate on March 14. Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed along Sirwah district’s al Masjah front on March 15.[ii]
Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed along the Maqabanah front in southwestern Yemen’s Taiz governorate on March 17. Anti–al Houthi forces claimed to capture several sites from al Houthi militants in Jabal Habashi district, west of Taiz city, on March 16.[iii]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab released a video on March 15 of young students presenting on shari’a law in a legal studies competition in southern Somalia’s Bay and Bakool regions. Al Shabaab announced its commitment to provide education and school supplies to students in the regions.[iv]
Al Shabaab released a third interview on March 15 with a prisoner it released from a Boosaaso prison in northern Somalia’s Bari region in early March. Al Shabaab claimed security officials tortured the prisoner. The group previously released interviews with former prisoners on March 13 and 14, respectively.[v]
[i] “Arab Coalition destroys Houthi explosive-laden boat off Yemeni port of Salif,” Al Sharq al Awsat, March 17, 2021, https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2864786/arab-coalition-destroys-houthi-explosive-laden-boat-yemeni-port-salif; and “The Coalition announces the fall of two Houthi missiles in uninhabited areas of Saudi Arabia,” Al Arabi al Jadid, March 16, 2021, https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AE%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9.
[ii] “Yemeni forces liberate 80% of city of Ma’rib,” Press TV, March 15, 2021, www.presstv.com/Detial/2021/03/15/647360/80--of-Yemen-city-of-Ma’rib-is-liberatedl; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 15, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 15, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-15-2021.
[iii] “Over 18 Houthi fighters killed in ambush in Yemen’s Taiz: Yemeni Army,” Al Arabiya, March 17, 2021, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2021/03/17/Over-18-Houthi-fighters-killed-in-ambush-in-Yemen-s-Taiz-Yemeni-army; and “Qualitative progress for the army in Jabal Habashi, Taiz,” 26 Sep News, March 16, 2021, https://www.26sepnews.net/2021/03/16/5432-20/.
[iv] “Shabaab Video Documents Shariah Knowledge Competition by Children, Young Men in 5 Seminaries,” SITE Intelligence Group, March 16, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Liibaan Jeexoow, “Al-Kata'ib releases new film on tribal science competition,” Somalimemo, March 15, 2021, https://somalimemo.info/articles/14399/Al-Kataaib-oo-soo-saartay-filim-Cusub-oo-lagu-soo-bandhigayo-tartanka-Culuumta-Sharciga-ee-machaahida-qabaailka.
[v] Liibaan Jeexoow, “Listen: The 3rd Ring Interview with the Prisoners Released from Bossaso Prison,” Somalimemo, March 16, 2021, https://somalimemo.info/articles/14402/Dhageyso-Xalqada-3aad-Ee-Wareysiyada-Maxaabiistii-lagasoo-xureeyay-Xabsiga-Boosaaso; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 15, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, March 15, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-15-2021.
