Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 10, 2023

Yemen: Saudi and Omani delegations meet with Houthi president and officials in Sana’a to discuss framework for peace process; al Hizam Security Forces dismantle two likely AQAP IEDs; Houthi spokesperson confirms IS-Y suicide bombing on bus in Sana’a

Somalia: Costa Rican authorities arrest a senior al Shabaab commander’s son; Al Shabaab mortars area near presidential residence; al Shabaab attacks an ENDF military base in southwestern Somalia; SNA and local fighters clear al Shabaab hideouts in north-central Somalia; al Shabaab militants fight each other in north-central Somalia; Somali forces secure villages in north-central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Saudi and Omani delegations including the Saudi ambassador to Yemen met with the Houthi president and other Houthi officials at the Republican Palace in Sana’a on April 9 to discuss Omani mediation and a framework for Saudi-Houthi peace negotiations.[i] Houthi-run SABA News reported both the Houthi and Saudi delegations reaffirmed their commitments to “peace.”[ii] Pro-Saudi government Arab News reported that the meeting discussed a “near final” draft of a peace agreement that would extend the UN-brokered ceasefire for six months, encourage direct Houthi-Yemeni government (ROYG) negotiations under UN auspices, and establish a two-year “transitional period.”[iii] Arab News added the peace agreement would lift restrictions on Houthi airports and sea ports, reopen highways and other infrastructure in Taiz, and pay Houthi civil-servant salaries.

Al Hizam Security Forces dismantled two likely Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) improvised explosive devices in Wadi Marib, west of Shakra city, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen on April 9.[iv]

The Houthi Interior Ministry spokesperson said two Islamic State in Yemen suicide bombers killed two civilians with an explosive device on a bus in Sana’a city on April 6.[v]

Somalia Security Brief

Costa Rican police authorities arrested al Shabaab senior commander Fuad Shongole’s son, Lutran Farah, in Costa Rica on April 10.[vi] Farah entered Costa Rica in January and had crossed into Nicaragua under an alias.[vii] Farah is also on the Federal Bureau of Investigation Terrorist Screening Center watch list.[viii] The FBI previously contacted Costa Rican authorities about the potential presence of an al Shabaab member in Costa Rica in February 2023.[ix]

Al Shabaab mortared the area around Villa Somalia in Warta Nabada district, Mogadishu, on April 9.[x] Mortars landed in a nearby house, hotel, and school.[xi] The attack killed two government officials, two security officers, and injured three civilians.[xii]

Al Shabaab attacked an Ethiopian National Defense Force military base in Dinsoor district, Bay region, southwestern Somalia, on April 9.[xiii]

The Somali National Army (SNA) and local fighters cleared al Shabaab hideouts in El Juqow village, Galguduud region, north-central Somalia, on April 9.[xiv]

Al Shabaab militants reportedly fought each other in Bidde Jesus area, El Dheere district, Galguduud region, north-central Somalia, on April 9.[xv] The fighting killed 20 al Shabaab members and injured 40 other members.[xvi]

The SNA, Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces, and US-trained Danab special forces secured two villages in El Dheere district, Galguduud region, north-central Somalia, on April 10.[xvii]