Key Takeaways:
- “Operation Golden Arrow,” supported by an Arab coalition, may be stalling in its offensive against the al Houthis after initial successes in regaining control of Aden city. The offensive secured much of Aden city last week and forces have pushed northward from there, but have not recaptured al Anad military base along the road north. Forces in Taiz have also not been able to defeat the al Houthis.
- Al Shabaab lost two strongholds in Dinsoor in Middle Jubba region and Bardhere in Gedo region in southern Somalia that may limit its ability to support operations in Kenya. Dinsor and Bardhere control points of access to a major route into northern Kenyan. The loss is territorial, however, as al Shabaab fighters moved into the countryside.
- Iranian officials downplayed the significance of UNSC Resolution 2231’s Annex B, which calls for an extended halt to certain ballistic missile activity, in order to assuage domestic concerns that the resolution infringes upon Iran’s weapons capabilities.