Yemen: AQAP releases video featuring AQAP emir; Saudi-led coalition claims to intercept al Houthi drones; US Special Envoy to Yemen meets with President Hadi; al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clash in Ma’rib governorate
Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab releases fourth episode of documentary series criticizing SFG; al Shabaab targets AMISOM troops in Middle Shabelle region; al Shabaab targets AMISOM troops in Lower Shabelle region; al Shabaab attacks AMISOM base in Lower Jubba region
Yemen Security Brief:
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a video on February 10 featuring AQAP emir Khaled Batarfi remarking on US protestors breaking into the US Capitol on January 6. Batarfi’s comments on the events that unfolded last month conflict with a recent UN report that confirmed his arrest in October 2020.[i]
The Saudi-led coalition claimed to intercept three al Houthi explosive-laden drones launched toward southern Saudi Arabia on February 12. The Saudi-led coalition previously claimed to intercept an al Houthi drone launched toward Khamis Mushait in the kingdom’s Asir province on February 11.[ii]
US Special Envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking met with the internationally recognized Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on February 11. The meeting focused on reaching a comprehensive solution to ending Yemen’s war.[iii]
Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in the Madghal district of central Yemen’s Ma’rib governorate on February 12. Al Houthi and anti–al Houthi forces clashed in Madghal district in early February.[iv]
Horn of Africa Security Brief:
Al Shabaab released the fourth episode of its documentary series criticizing the Somali Federal Government (SFG) on February 11. The fourth episode condemns alleged Ethiopian influence over the SFG. The group released the third episode on February 9.[v]
Al Shabaab ambushed Burundian African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops in Jowhar in central Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on February 10. Somali National Army (SNA) forces reportedly recaptured villages from al Shabaab around Jowhar the same day.[vi]
Al Shabaab attacked AMISOM bases in Bulo Marer and Qoryoley in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on February 10. Al Shabaab ambushed SNA troops in Lower Shabelle region on February 2.[vii]
Al Shabaab attacked an AMISOM base in Afmadow district in southern Somalia’s Lower Jubba region on February 10. Somali special forces reclaimed territory from the militants in Lower Jubba region in late January.[viii]
[i] “AQAP Leader Batarfi Remarks on Storming of U.S. Capitol in New Video, Belying Reports of Earlier Arrest,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 10, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Amelia Frederking and Lauren Detter, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 5, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 5, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-5-2021.
[ii] “Coalition forces intercept, destroy Houthi-launched drone targeting Saudi Arabia,” Emirates News Agency, February 12, 2021, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302909590; and “Arab Coalition destroys explosive Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia,” Emirates News Agency, February 11, 2021, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302909232.
[iii] “President Hadi and his deputy Al-Ahmar meet with US Envoy to Yemen meeting details,” Al Mashhad al Yemeni, February 11, 2021, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/194325.
[iv] “Yemeni forces shoot down a Saudi reconnaissance plane in Marib,” Al Alam, February 12, 2021, https://www.alalamtv.net/news/5436283; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 1, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 1, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-1-2021.
[v] “Watch: ‘Farmajo: False Promises and Destructive Dreams’ Part 4,” Calamada, February 11, 2021, https://ok.ru/video/2288172141162; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 10, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 10, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-10-2021.
[vi] “Shabaab Claims Killing 14 Somali Security Personnel in Single Blast, Taking Control Over Town in Lower Shabelle,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 11, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and “Somalia: Al Shabaab in Middle Shabelle,” Radio Dalsan, February 10, 2021, https://www.radiodalsan.com/ciidanka-dowladda-iyo-al-shabaab-oo-maanta-ku-dagaalamay-sh-dhexe/.
[vii] “Shabaab Claims Killing 14 Somali Security Personnel in Single Blast, Taking Control Over Town in Lower Shabelle,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 11, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Lauren Detter and Amelia Frederking, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 3, 2021,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 3, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-3-2021.
[viii] “Shabaab Claims Killing 14 Somali Security Personnel in Single Blast, Taking Control Over Town in Lower Shabelle,” SITE Intelligence Group, February 11, 2021, available by subscription at www.siteintelgroup.com; and Rahma Bayrakdar, Jessica Kocan, and Emily Estelle, “Africa File: Al Shabaab highlights US withdrawal after attacks on Somali special forces,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, February 4, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/africa-file/africa-file-al-shabaab-highlights-us-withdrawal-after-attacks-on-somali-special-forces.