Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 14, 2022

Yemen: AQAP kidnaps UN workers; Saudi-led coalition airstrikes target Houthi Telecommunications Ministry

Somalia: Al Shabaab IED kills 15 soldiers in southeastern Kenya; al Shabaab IED kills five civilians in southern Somalia; rebel faction reaches truce with state forces in central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Likely al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters kidnapped five UN workers between al Khadirah and Mudiyah, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on February 12.[i] The AQAP fighters stopped a convoy travelling from Aden city and kidnapped “military police,” a UN translator, a foreign UN official, and three local UN officials.[ii] Local armed groups negotiated the release of the military police personnel.

The Saudi-led coalition conducted airstrikes targeting the Houthi-controlled Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry in Sana’a, Yemen, on February 13.[iii] The airstrikes reportedly destroyed TeleYemen’s headquarters. Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of using the ministry to “launch hostile operations.”

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) convoy near Mangay Village, Lamu County, southeastern Kenya, on February 12.[iv] Al Shabaab claims the explosion killed 15 KDF soldiers. 

A civilian vehicle struck a likely al Shabaab-planted IED near Hanshaley village, Middle Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on February 15.[v] The explosion killed at least four civilians.

Hirshabelle State President Ali Gudlawe and rebel leader Col. Nur Dheere reportedly agreed to a truce in Beledweyne, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on February 12. Dheere’s anti-Hirshabelle State soldiers began fighting state forces in late December 2021. The fighting stalled planned Hirshabelle lower house elections in Beledweyne.[vi]