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: US officials meet with Yemeni officials; Houthi ballistic missile targets Saudi-led coalition troops in Yemen; Houthis clash with tribesmen in al Jawf
Somalia: Al Shabaab attacks village in northern Somalia; anti-Galmudug state forces threaten polling stations in central Somalia; al Shabaab raids official’s residency in southern Somalia; al Shabaab assassinates SNA soldier in central Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
US Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking and US Embassy Sana’a chargé d'affaires Cathy Westley met with Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi on March 3.[i] They also met separately with the governors of Shabwah, Hadramawt, and al Mahra governorates the same day.[ii]
The Houthis launched a ballistic missile targeting a military camp of the Saudi-led coalition in Hajjah governorate, northern Yemen, on March 3.[iii] The strike killed 14 Sudanese soldiers and wounded 30 more Saudi-led coalition troops.
Armed Bani Nawf and al Shulan tribesmen clashed with Houthi fighters near al Hazm city, al Jawf governorate, northern Yemen, on March 3.[iv] The clashes erupted after tribesmen attempted to seize oil tankers from the Houthis.
Somalia Security Brief:
Al Shabaab raided Milho village, Las Khorey district, Sanaag region, Puntland state, northern Somalia, on March 2.[v] Al Shabaab claimed they captured the village, but Puntland officials said security forces repelled the attack.
Anti-Galmudug state forces threatened to seize polling sites in Galkayo, Galkayo district, Mudug region if Galmudug state’s president does not allow their preferred candidate to participate in Galkayo’s elections on March 3.[vi] Galkayo will hold elections on March 5.
Al Shabaab raided the residency of the Aawdiinle district commissioner in Aawdiinle, Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on March 3.[vii] Al Shabaab failed to assassinate the official but injured four bodyguards.
Al Shabaab assassinated a Somali National Army (SNA) soldier in Yaqshid district, Mogadishu, central Somalia, on March 3.[viii]
[i] @StateDept_NEA, Twitter, March 3, 2022, https://twitter.com/StateDept_NEA/status/1499389414333681666?s=20&t=nwjY5uCWFF0WBuBEXwpnhg.
[ii] US Department of State Office of the Spokesperson, “Special Envoy Lenderking and Chargé Westley Conclude Visit to Yemen,” March 3, 2022, https://www.state.gov/special-envoy-lenderking-and-charge-westley-conclude-visit-to-yemen/.
[iii] Al Bawabah, “Dozens of Sudanese soldiers were killed and injured by a Houthi missile in Yemen,” March 3, 2022, https://www.albawaba.com/ar/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AE-%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-1468402.
[iv] Akhbar Yemen, “Clashes erupt between tribes and Houthi militia over oil in al Jawf,” March 3, 2022, https://www.yemenakhbar.com/3045704.
[v] Radio Risaala, “al Shabaab seizes Milho area,” March 2, 2022, https://radiorisaala.com/shabaab-oo-la-wareegay-deegaanka/; and Somali Dispatch, “al Shabaab attacks Milho region again,” March 3, 2022, https://www.somalidispatch.com/latest-news/al-shabaab-attacks-milho-region-again/
[vi] Goobjoog News, “Elections will not be held in Indho-Qarshe is barred from parliamentary race-clan forces,” March 3, 2022, https://goobjoog.com/english/elections-will-not-be-held-if-indho-qarshe-is-barred-from-parliamentary-race-clan-forces/
[vii] Radio al Furqaan, “Explosion targets South West official on outskirts of Baidoa,” March 3, 2022, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2022/03/qarax-lala-eegtay-musuul-katirsan-koonfur-galbeed-oo-ka-dhacay-duleedka-baydhabo/
[viii] Radio al Furqaan, “DF soldier killed in Mogadishu,” March 3, 2022, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2022/03/askari-katirsanaa-df-oo-goor-dhow-lagu-dilay-muqdisho/
