Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 16, 2022

Yemen: Houthi chief negotiator meets with Lebanese Hezbollah leader; AQAP transfers kidnapped UN workers out of Abyan; STC-backed forces disrupt possible AQAP logistics

Somalia: US-trained Danab forces attack al Shabaab stronghold in central Somalia; al Shabaab overruns SNA base in southwestern Somalia; Danab destroy al Shabaab bomb-making warehouses in southern Somalia; al Shabaab IED targets Turkish-trained commando convoy in southern Somalia

Yemen Security Brief:

Houthi spokesperson and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam met with Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on September 16 in Beirut, Lebanon.[i] The two parties discussed the truce and regional “political developments.” Abdulsalam met with Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayti in Tehran, Iran, on September 7.[ii]

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) reportedly moved five kidnapped UN workers out of Abyan governorate on September 16.[iii] AQAP kidnapped the UN workers in Abyan governorate in February 2022. AQAP moved the workers after negotiations failed. 

The al Hizam Security Forces stopped a possible AQAP vehicle transporting explosive devices in northwestern Abyan governorate on September 15.[iv] The car was traveling from al Bayda governorate.

Somalia Security Brief:

US-trained Danab special forces attacked al Shabaab militants near Buqda village, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on the night of September 14.[v] Somali government officials claimed Danab troops killed 18 al Shabaab fighters and destroyed al Shabaab bases, stations, and offices. Al Shabaab claimed to kill at least 10 Danab troops and injure another 15 soldiers.[vi] Al Shabaab had uncontested control of the village since at least 2015 and organized drought relief, religious celebrations, and public executions in the village throughout 2022.[vii]

Al Shabaab overran a Somali National Army camp near Daynunay, Baidoa district, Bay region, southwestern Somalia, on September 14.[viii] Al Shabaab attacked the camp from multiple sides and forced the defenders to eventually retreat after heavy fighting. Al Shabaab claimed to kill a senior SNA commander in the attack.[ix] The regional army commander claimed the al Shabaab fighters involved in the attack had likely fled from ongoing counterterrorism operations in Lower Shabelle and Hiraan.

Danab special forces destroyed al Shabaab bomb-making warehouses in Tihsile and Garas Gawan villages in the Afgoi district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on September 15.[x]

Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device targeting a Turkish-trained Gorgor commando convoy near Lambar Konton, Marka district, Lower Shabelle, southern Somalia, on September 14.[xi] Locals claimed that at least one soldier died while several others were seriously injured. The troops were reportedly traveling to the Janaale area.