Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Saudi ambassadors holds meetings with top Yemeni officials in Aden; newly appointed STC vice president commends STC-led political talks

Somalia: Court documents show Kenyan police arrested three suspects attempting to travel to Somalia to join the Somali-based IS affiliate

Yemen Security Brief

Saudi Ambassador Mohammed al Jabr met with Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi, Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Deputy and Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Aydarus al Zubaidi, and Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik in Aden on May 10.[i]  The two parties discussed Saudi support for the Yemeni people and the “political solution in Yemen.”

PLC Deputy and newly appointed STC Vice President Faraj al Bahsani said on May 9 that he will work to “unify efforts” in the interests of the people.[ii] Bahsani also commended the “success” of the STC-led political consultations on May 5.[iii]

Somalia Security Brief

Newly released court documents show the Kenyan Anti-Terrorism Police arrested three Kenyans suspected of traveling to Somalia to join the Islamic State’s Somalia Province (IS-S) in Isiolo County, eastern Kenya, on April 7.[iv] The suspects had allegedly fled to Tanzania after police released arrest warrants for their involvement in attacks in Lamu County, northeastern Kenya, where al Shabaab regularly carries out attacks and has havens.[v] The suspects said they had traveled from Tanzania back to the Nairobi area and were planning to transit through Ethiopia before crossing into northern Somalia, where IS-S is based.[vi]