Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 21, 2022

Yemen: Houthis launch drones, ballistic missiles targeting energy and desalination infrastructure in Saudi Arabia; Saudi-led Coalition destroy Houthi WBIED; suspected Islah militants attempt to assassinate the 8^th Giants Brigade commander in Shabwah governorate

Somalia: Jubbaland State and Danab forces clear al Shabaab militants from eleven villages in southern Somalia; al Shabaab IED targets Burundian AMISOM convoy in central Somalia; al Shabaab raids KDF base in northeastern Kenya; SNA clears al Shabaab militants from village in southern Somalia

 

Yemen Security Brief:

The Houthis launched an unspecified number of explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles targeting energy and desalination infrastructure in western Saudi Arabia on March 20.[i] The Saudi-led coalition intercepted one of the ballistic missiles and nine of the drones.[ii] The strikes did not cause any casualties. Houthi movement spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the strikes were retaliation for the blockade on Yemen and threatened additional attacks.[iii]

The Houthis launched a water-borne improvised explosive device (WBIED) off the coast of Hudaydah governorate, Yemen, on March 20.[iv] Saudi-led coalition intercepted the WBIED. The coalition said the Houthis launched the WBIED as part of their ballistic missile and drone attack on infrastructure targets in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Suspected Islah-aligned militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting the commander of the 8th Giants Brigade near Ataq city, Shabwah governorate, Yemen, on March 19.[v]

Somalia Security Brief:

Jubbaland State security forces and US-trained Somali National Army (SNA) Danab special forces cleared al Shabaab militants from eleven villages in Kismayo district, Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on March 17.[vi] Danab officials claimed they killed seven al Shabaab militants.

Al Shabaab detonated an IED targeting a Burundian African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) convoy in Bal’ad, Middle Shabelle region, central Somalia, on March 19.[vii] Al Shabaab claimed the IED killed six soldiers and wounded three others.

Al Shabaab attacked a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) base in Rhamu, Mandera County, northeastern Kenya, on March 19.[viii]

The Somali National Army (SNA) cleared al Shabaab militants from Gofgadud village in Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on March 20.[ix]