Gulf of Aden Security Review – July 15, 2022

Yemen: Houthi spokesperson threatens attacks in the event of Israel-Hezbollah conflict; unknown militants clashed with Security Belt Forces in Aden

Somalia: Al Shabaab prisoners escape from prison in central Somalia; al Shabaab raid an SNA base in southern Somalia; Danab secures villages in southern Somalia

Yemen Security Brief:

Houthi movement official Muhammad al Bukhaiti threatened “all-out war” in the region if Israel moves against Hezbollah in an appearance on Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen TV on June 14.[i] Bukhaiti said that the Saudi-led coalition needs Yemen’s truce agreement more than the Houthis do. He added that the Houthis are capable of destroying Saudi and Emirati energy and transit infrastructure.

Unknown militants clashed with Security Belt Forces in Sheikh Uthman district, north of Aden city, southern Yemen, on June 13.[ii] The clashes killed three people and wounded an unknown number of others.

Somalia Security Brief:

Al Shabaab prisoners escaped from prison in Galkayo, Mudug region, central Somalia, on July 14.[iii] Puntland State authorities had previously sentenced the prisoners to death. Security forces claimed to kill one prisoner and capture three others. Three other militants escaped the prison successfully. Horseed Media claimed the seven prisoners were al Shabaab leaders.

Al Shabaab militants raided a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Janale, Marka district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on July 14.[iv] SNA officials claimed they repelled the attack and killed at least one militant. SNA conducted search operations near the base after the failed raid to locate escaped militants.

US-trained Danab Special Forces secured Aar Aaree, Dhay Cabdi, and Qurac Madoob villages in Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on July 14.[v] Danab officials claimed to kill three militants, wounded four others, and destroy several bases.