Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 19, 2023

Yemen: STC President Zubaidi travels to Mukalla, Hadramawt governorate; unspecified Hadrami leaders met to demand an independent Hadrami delegation for negotiations with Houthis; Yemeni Interior Ministry seizes communications equipment bound for the Houthis in Mahra

Somalia: Al Shabaab targets joint African Union-SNA convoy in southern Somalia; Somali intelligence seizes al Shabaab weapon and explosive shipment at Mogadishu Seaport

Yemen Security Brief

Southern Transitional Council President Aydarus al Zubaidi arrived in Mukalla, Hardamawt governorate, southeastern Yemen, on May 18 for the STC National Assembly meeting in Mukalla on May 21.[i] Zubaidi arrived in a large convoy of military vehicles.[ii] Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Deputy and STC Vice President Faraj al Bahsani received Zubaidi.[iii]

Unspecified “prominent Hadrami political and tribal” leaders met in Seiyun, Hadramawt governorate on May 18 to reject “any attempts at annexation.”[iv] The leaders agreed to meet Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi to demand an independent Hadrami delegation be involved in negotiations with the Houthis to end the war in Yemen.

The Yemeni Interior Ministry seized a shipment of modern communication equipment bound for the Houthis in Mahra governorate, eastern Yemen, on May 18.[v]

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab detonated multiple roadside improvised explosive devices targeting a joint African Union–Somali National Army convoy near El Waregow, Marka district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia on May 18.[vi] Al Shabaab claimed the attacks killed five Ugandan soldiers and 22 Somali soldiers.[vii]

Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) forces seized an al Shabaab weapon and explosives shipment and transport vehicles at Mogadishu Seaport on May 18.[viii] NISA arrested ten suspected logistical facilitators during the raid, which included some businessmen in Mogadishu.[ix]