Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 23, 2022

Yemen: Taiz governor announces new airport opening; tribesmen in Sana’a demand release of sheikhs imprisoned by Houthis; AQAP targets STC-affiliated forces with IED

Somalia: SNA repels small al Shabaab counterattack on recently cleared area in north-central Somalia; SFG augments its counterterrorism strategy as the fight against al Shabaab escalates

Yemen Security Brief:

Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan announced the opening of a likely Emirati-built airstrip in Mocha, Taiz governorate, southwestern Yemen, as a new international airport in Yemen.[i] Shamsan said the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) approved the inauguration of the airport, which was “sponsored” by National Resistance Front leader Tariq Saleh. Shamsan suggested the airport would alleviate the “siege” of Taiz.[ii] Houthi media claimed the Emirati military would use the airport, citing a May 2022 report from an Arabic-language open-source intelligence platform.[iii]

Bani Harith tribesmen held an armed gathering in northern Sana’a governorate demanding the release of eight Bani Harith sheikhs on September 21.[iv] Key Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al Houthi reportedly imprisoned the eight sheikhs without charges. The tribesmen demanded the Houthi movement imprison Mohammed Ali al Houthi in response on September 22.[v] The Houthis released seven of the sheikhs on September 23.[vi]

Likely al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting military forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) near Lawder city, Lawder district, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, on September 23.[vii] Local media did not specify casualties.

Somalia Security Brief:

Al Shabaab attacked Somali National Army (SNA) forces near Sina Dhaqo, Dhusmareb district, Galgudud region, north-central Somalia, on September 22.[viii] The SNA released pictures of dead militants and claimed to kill 15 al Shabaab fighters while repulsing the attack.[ix] Turkish-trained Gorgor commandos cleared Sina Dhaqo and surrounding areas on September 20.[x]

The Somali Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers announced several efforts to improve the country’s national counterterrorism strategy on September 22.[xi] The plans include strengthening the role of the National Security Council, forming a committee to better coordinate counterterrorism activities, creating a national agency for countering violent extremism, implementing a national strategy to counter money laundering and terrorist financial networks, and encouraging further public uprisings against terrorists.