Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: Houthi leader gives major speech on the Houthis’ challenges and priorities; Yemeni president meets with UAE foreign minister in New York; AQAP mortars Yemeni Army base in southern Yemen

Somalia: Al Shabaab and Somali special forces clash in central Somalia’s Hiraan region; Somali special forces secure several villages along the Shabelle River valley in Hiraan; Turkish-trained special forces clear al Shabaab havens in central Somalia’s Galgudud region; US AFRICOM claims September 18 drone strike in support of partner forces in Hiraan

Yemen Security Brief:

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi gave a speech for the eighth anniversary of the Houthi “revolution” on September 20.[i] Houthi identified confronting the Saudi-led coalition, defeating the “occupation,” achieving full independence, and ending the “siege” of Yemen as “great priorities.” Houthi also highlighted two additional challenges–the impact of the past on Yemen and the “emergence of personal ambition [and] desires to dispense” with major goals. He also called the truce “temporary.”

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al Alimi met with Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 20.[ii] The two parties discussed Yemen’s truce, Houthi truce violations, and continued Emirati support for the PLC.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) mortared the base of the 5^th Infantry Brigade near Mudiyah city, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on September 20.[iii] The attack caused no casualties.

Somalia Security Brief:

US-trained Danab special forces and Turkish-trained Gorgor commandos clashed with al Shabaab near Samataro, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on September 21. Somali officials claimed al Shabaab mortared government forces in Booco town, causing troops to attack al Shabaab positions two miles west in Samataro.[iv] Al Shabaab said they repulsed the attacks, killing at least 40 troops, including the regional commanders of the Danab and Gorgor forces.[v] Somali officials claimed to kill eight al Shabaab militants in the fighting.[vi] Al Shabaab and residents also reported US drone strikes supported Somali forces.[vii] Somali forces and local militia secured Booco without fighting on September 20.[viii] It was the first time government forces entered Booco in 13 years.

Danab and Gorgor forces secured several villages along the Shabelle River valley in Hiraan region, central Somalia, on September 21.[ix]Al Shabaab claimed to detonate two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting Somali forces near in the area, killing two soldiers.[x]

Gorgor forces cleared Sina Dhaqo and surrounding areas in Dhusamareb district, Galgudud region, central Somalia, on September 20.[xi] Gorgor officials claimed that troops killed at least 10 al Shabaab militants and destroyed several havens. Al Shabaab claimed to detonate an IED targeting Somali forces in the area, killing two soldiers.[xii]

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) claimed a September 18 airstrike targeting al Shabaab militants near Bulo Burde, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on September 21.[xiii] AFRICOM said the strike killed 27 militants and no civilians and helped Somali and African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces regain the initiative in days-long fighting over a 25 mile stretch of road connecting Bulo Burde and Yasooman.[xiv] Somali officials claimed Somali troops and local militia killed over 100 al Shabaab militants in the battle for the area.[xv]