Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 22, 2022

Yemen: The Yemeni president meets with unspecified UAE officials in Abu Dhabi; Houthis allege US military involvement in southeastern Yemen

Somalia: Al Shabaab conducts a complex 30-hour suicide siege on a hotel in Mogadishu

Yemen Security Brief:

Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi met with unspecified UAE officials in Abu Dhabi on August 17. The UAE reportedly demanded that Alimi withdraw all Yemeni Army forces from Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen.^[i] UAE-backed forces and Yemeni government forces have been fighting for control of Shabwah since early August. Alimi also discussed the Central Bank, protecting government buildings and key leaders in Aden, and the leadership of the General People’s Congress with the UAE.^[ii] Additional UAE-backed Giants Brigade forces reportedly deployed from Aden to Ataq, Shabwah governorate, on August 20.^[iii]

The Houthi movement’s official website published an article on August 20 detailing supposed US interference in Yemen.^[iv] The Houthi movement claimed a US military “delegation” met with Yemeni security and military officials in Brum Mayfa’ district, Hadramawt governorate, eastern Yemen. The Houthis claimed the visit is part of a “trend” to “establish new US military bases” in Hadramawt. The Houthis also accused US Envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking of “managing” ongoing clashes in Shabwah between UAE-backed forces and Yemeni government forces.

Somalia Security Brief:

Al Shabaab conducted a complex suicide attack targeting the Hayat Hotel in Hodan district, Mogadishu, on August 19. Somali officials said the attackers killed 21 people and wounded at least 117 others during the following 30-hour siege.[v] The attack began with two suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) and a three-person attack team breaching the security perimeter around the hotel.[vi] Al Shabaab claimed a third SVBIED targeted emergency and security forces arriving at the scene. The attackers then laid siege to the hotel, executing multiple civilians and government officials.[vii] US-trained Alpha group Gaashaan special forces responded to the attack first, but al Shabaab fighters used improvised explosive devices and small arms to repel the Gaashaan force.[viii] Security forces evacuated civilians but failed to coordinate a cohesive response to end the siege rapidly.[ix] Al Shabaab claimed the attackers maintained contact with group leaders throughout the attack and released several audio recordings from supposed attackers.[x] Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces eventually reinforced the Gaashaan and helped end the siege.[xi] Al Shabaab claimed some of the attackers escaped the hotel to safe houses in Mogadishu to carry out further attacks.[xii]