Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 28, 2022

Yemen: UN envoy travels to Riyadh, Muscat, and Sana’a for negotiations; Houthis reiterate position on truce; Houthis threaten foreign companies; top Houthi official accuses United States of obstructing truce extension

Somalia: US-trained special forces clear al Shabaab from a long-time stronghold for the second time in September; a disagreement between anti-al Shabaab commanders stalls the offensive in Galgudud region; SNA forces clear al Shabaab infrastructure in southern Somalia; Puntland police breakup two al Shabaab cells in north-central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief:

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Muscat, Oman; and Sana’a, Yemen, to discuss the truce with Omani, Yemeni, and Saudi officials.[i] Grundberg met with Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi and “senior Saudi officials” in two separate meetings on September 26. He then met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi and Houthi officials separately in Muscat on September 27. Grundberg traveled to Sana’a, Yemen, on September 28 to discuss the truce with key Houthi leaders.[ii]

Houthi Chief Negotiator Mohammed Abdul Salam reiterated the Houthi’s position on the truce negotiations after a meeting with Grundberg in Muscat on September 27.[iii] Abdul Salam called for an immediate reopening of Hudaydah port and Sana’a airport and the payment of salaries and pensions. The Saudi-led coalition is letting in some fuel ships through Hudaydah. Flights continue from Sana’a airport to Cairo and Amman.[iv]

The Houthi military spokesperson threatened “foreign companies,” calling on the companies to heed the warnings of Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi on September 26.[v] Houthi said that the “occupation” of Yemen’s resources must be “faced” in a speech on September 21.[vi] The threat may be a response to the visit of the French Ambassador to Yemen to Mukalla, Hadramawt governorate, eastern Yemen on September 26-27.[vii] The Yemeni government is also negotiating with a French energy company.[viii]

The Houthi deputy foreign minister accused the US Special Envoy to Yemen of “obstructing the extension” of the truce on September 26.[ix]

Somalia Security Brief:

US-trained Danab special forces cleared al Shabaab militants from Buqda, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on September 27.[x] Danab officials claimed to kill 11 al Shabaab militants. Al Shabaab had uncontested control of Buqda until Danab clashed attacked al Shabaab fighters near the town for the first time since 2015 on September 15, 2022.[xi]

A disagreement between anti-al Shabaab commanders stalled the SNA and clan militia thrust towards the al Shabaab stronghold of Elbur, Galgudud region, central Somalia, on September 26.[xii] The commanders reportedly disagreed on the best way to proceed into Elhele, a town over 40 miles north of Elbur in Dhusamareb district. The SNA head General Odawa Yusuf wanted to bomb al Shabaab positions that American drones spotted in the town. The local MP leading state and local clan forces, Yusuf Dhegey Ugas, wanted to launch a frontal ground assault to minimize the risk of civilian casualties. General Odawa Yusuf then reportedly ordered his troops to return to Dhusamareb.

Somali officials claimed SNA forces cleared an al Shabaab court and command center in two villages in Afgoi district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on September 27.[xiii]

Puntland police announced on September 28 that they arrested two al Shabaab cells and seized 150 explosive devices in the Mudug region of north-central Somalia.[xiv] Puntland officials said the cells were planning attacks in Puntland and Somaliland.