Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 24, 2023

Yemen: Saudi Arabia deposits $1 billion into Yemen’s central bank; advisor to UAE President meets with UN Special Envoy to Yemen to discuss peace talks; Houthi defense minister threatens “countries of aggression” in speech; Shabwah Defense Forces deploy on counterterrorism mission

Somalia: Al Shabaab mortars military base in southwestern Somalia; al Shabaab detonates an IED targeting KDF in northeastern Kenya; al Shabaab attacks a security checkpoint in northeastern Somalia; Somali federal and state forces clear an al Shabaab base in north-central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Saudi Arabia deposited $1 billion into the Yemeni government (ROYG) central bank on February 21. Saudi state media said the move will strengthen the Yemeni economy and allow the ROYG to implement economic reforms amidst the humanitarian crisis on February 21.[i]

Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President Anwar Gargash met with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg in the UAE on February 21.[ii] They discussed the necessary conditions for a sustainable political solution.

Houthi Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser al Atifi warned Saudi Arabia and the UAE that the Houthis would target their strategic infrastructure if peace negotiations continue to stall during a speech on February 23.[iii]

The Shabwani Defense Forces deployed several units, including the 1st Shabwani Defense Brigade on counterterrorism missions in the Markha and Nissab districts, Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen on February 21.[iv]

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab mortared a Jubbaland State forces base in Afmadow district, Lower Jubba region, southwestern Somalia, on February 24.[v] Jubbaland regional officials claimed some shells landed inside the base but did not cause any casualties.[vi]

Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device  targeting a Kenya Defense Force vehicle in Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, on February 24.[vii] The explosion killed at least two of the four soldiers onboard, and the other two soldiers are missing.[viii]

Al Shabaab militants attacked a Puntland State forces security checkpoint with small arms and likely mortar fire in Bossaso, Bari region, northeastern Somalia, on February 23.[ix]

The Somali National Army (SNA) and Galmudug State forces cleared an al Shabaab base in Farah Adan, Mudug region, north-central Somalia, on February 23.[x] The SNA claimed the operation killed 30 al Shabaab militants.[xi]