Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 15, 2023

Yemen: AQAP gunmen attack Shabwah Defense Forces checkpoint; US Special Envoy for Yemen travels to Saudi Arabia and Oman to build on UN truce; UN Special Envoy to Yemen briefs UN Security Council on renewed diplomatic momentum

Somalia: Al Shabaab targets government officials in SVBIED attack in southwestern Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) gunmen targeted a 5th Shabwani Defense Forces Brigade checkpoint with small arms and grenades at the al Safra point, Bayhan district, Shabwah governorate, Yemen on March 14.[i] The Shabwah Defense Forces reported that the AQAP gunmen killed three soldiers.[ii] AQAP claimed that they killed four Shabwah Defense soldiers.[iii]

The US State Department announced that US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking traveled to Saudi Arabia and Oman on March 14 to “build on the UN-mediated truce” with local and international partners.[iv]

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg briefed the UN Security Council on the state of the Yemeni conflict on March 15.[v] Grundberg described “renewed regional diplomatic momentum” and urged the belligerent parties to build on the recent Saudi-Iranian deal which restored diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab launched a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack targeting government officials in Bardhere district, Gedo region, southwestern Somalia, on March 14.[vi] The attacker drove the vehicle into a guesthouse where government officials had gathered to discuss anti-al Shabaab operations.[vii] Somali press outlets reported the attack killed at least nine people and injured 11 others, including the Gedo governor.[viii] Al Shabaab claimed they killed at least 13 people and injured 20 others.[ix]