Gulf of Aden Security Review–August 8, 2023

Yemen: AQAP conducts IED attack in Abyan; US Naval Troops deploy to Red Sea; AQAP conducts two attacks in Shabwah; STC-backed forces arrest senior AQAP member

Somalia: Al Shabaab consolidates defenses in north-central Somalia; Danab commandos clear a village in central Somalia; Danab commandos destroy an al Shabaab weapons depot in central Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting Southern Transitional Council (STC)–backed forces in Dra’al Zanu, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, on August 5.[i]

The US Navy deployed the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Red Sea on August 6.[ii]

AQAP launched Grad rockets targeting an STC–backed forces military base near Balhalf gas facility, in Shabwah governorate, on August 5. AQAP also conducted an attack targeting STC-backed 1st Brigade Shabwah Defense Forces at al Qinaa point, Shabwah governorate, on the same day.[iii] STC-backed forces arrested a senior AQAP member in Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, on August 6.[iv]

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab withdrew from the area surrounding El Laheley, El Bur district, Galgudud region, north-central Somalia, on August 6.[v] Militants have since erected fortifications in Wabxo, El Bur district and Oswein, El Dheere district, Galgudud region.[vi] These defenses are allegedly al Shabaab’s first line of defense for El Bur, Galgudud region. Al Shabaab has also armed civilians, urging them to fight against security forces in El Bur and El Garas, Dhusamareb district, Galgudud region.[vii]

US-trained Danab commandos conducted a clearing operation with international aerial support near Qob Yaxaas, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on August 5.[viii] Security forces claimed to kill 45 al Shabaab militants.[ix]

Danab commandos destroyed an al Shabaab weapons depot with international partner air support near Mukayle, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on August 8.[x] Security forces destroyed four large vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.[xi]