Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 1, 2023

Yemen: AQAP claims sniper attack that kills three STC-backed soldiers in Abyan; AQAP claims IED attack on STC military vehicle in Abyan; Shabwnai Defense soldiers dismantle likely AQAP IEDs on public road; Houthis release ROYG commander from prison after eight years; US Special Envoy for Yemen travels to Gulf to coordinate peace efforts with regional partners

Somalia: US-trained Danab special forces and local forces clear al Shabaab bases in south-central Somalia; al Shabaab militants gather in south-central Somalia to intimidate local businessmen

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed a sniper attack that killed three Southern Transitional Council (STC)-backed soldiers in al Baqira, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen on April 30.[i]

AQAP fighters detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting STC-backed forces in an “armored vehicle” in al Baqira, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen on April 30.[ii] AQAP claimed an unspecified number of casualties. Yemeni media outlet Mahra Post reported that at least two soldiers were wounded.[iii]

Forces from the 1st Shabwani Defense Forces Brigade dismantled an unspecified number of likely AQAP IEDs on a public road in the al Wata area, Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen, on April 28. The road connects the Nissab district to Ataq, Shabwah governorate.[iv]

The Houthis released a prominent former Yemeni government (ROYG) commander after eight years of imprisonment on April 30. A tribal delegation from Abyan governorate received the commander in Sana’a, Yemen.[v]

US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking traveled to the Gulf on May 1 to meet with Yemeni, Omani, Saudi and other international partners about coordinated peace efforts. The meetings will aim to build on recent ceasefire talks and support a Yemeni-led political process for a comprehensive peace.[vi]

Somalia Security Brief

US-trained Danab special forces and local militia cleared al Shabaab bases near El Ali Ahmed, Bulo Burde district, Middle Shabelle region, south-central Somalia, on April 29.[vii] 

Local media reported al Shabaab fighters had gathered on the outskirts of Mahaday district, Middle Shabelle region, south-central Somalia, on April 30.[viii]  Local businessmen refused to pay al Shabaab taxes prior to the al Shabaab mobilization.