Gulf of Aden Security Review
A regularly updated review of both Yemen and the Horn of Africa covering topics related to security, governance, and militant activity.
Yemen: US Envoy to Yemen visits Oman to discuss peace efforts in Yemen; Yemeni president meets with UN envoy to Yemen; Yemeni president and PLC members meet with UAE justice minister
Somalia: Anti-al Shabaab forces withdraw from a strategic town in north-central Somalia; Southwest State security forces kill two al Shabaab commanders in southern Somalia; Southwest State security forces arrest three journalists in southern Somalia
Yemen Security Brief:
US Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking met with the Omani undersecretary for diplomatic affairs in Muscat, Oman, to discuss “peace efforts in Yemen.”[i] Lenderking will also meet with Saudi officials during his trip to the region.[ii] The trip began on November 27.
Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi met with UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg in Amman on November 29 before Alimi departed Amman.[iii] The Yemeni foreign minister and the director of the Office of the Presidency of the Yemeni Republic accompanied Alimi.
President Alimi and Presidential Leadership Council members Tariq Saleh and Abdullah al Alimi departed Amman on November 29 for Abu Dhabi.[iv] They arrived in Abu Dhabi on November 30 and met with the UAE justice minister and Yemeni ambassador to the UAE.[v]
Somalia Security Brief:
Somali National Army (SNA) and local Ma’awisley militia forces withdrew from the crossroads town of Qayib, Dhusamareb district, Galmudug region, north-central Somalia, on November 29.[vi] Al Shabaab militants attacked the town the day before but the SNA claimed to repel the attack.[vii]
Southwest State security forces carried out an operation against al Shabaab militants near Awdinele, Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on November 30. Southwest State officials claimed the operation killed several al Shabaab militants, including two commanders.[viii]
Southwest State security forces arrested three journalists of the Somali Journalists Syndicate in Baidoa, Bay region, southern Somalia, on November 30.[ix]
[i] Mahra Post, “The US envoy arrives in Muscat on a new tour to discuss the efforts exerted in building peace in Yemen,” November 29, 2022, https://almahrahpost.com/news/34684.
[ii] US Department of State, “U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Lenderking’s Travel to Oman and Saudi Arabia,” November 28, 2022, https://www.state.gov/u-s-special-envoy-for-yemen-lenderkings-travel-to-oman-and-saudi-arabia/.
[iii] Mareb Press, “A meeting between President al Alimi and UN envoy Hans Grundberg,” November 29, 2022, https://marebpress.net/news_details.php?lang=arabic&sid=188860.
[iv] Al Mashhad al Yemeni, “The President of the Leadership Council leaves Jordan for a second Arab country,” November 29, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/244974.
[v] Al Mashhad al Yemeni, “President ‘al Alimi’ and ‘Tariq Saleh’ arrive in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi,” November 30, 2022, https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/245012.
[vi] Garowe Online, @GaroweOnline, Twitter, November 29, 2022, https://twitter.com/GaroweOnline/status/1597536168304062465.
[vii] SONNA, ”National Troops and Locals Repulsed Terror Attack in Qayib Village,” November 28, 2022, https://sonna.so/en/2022/11/25/national-troops-and-locals-repulsed-terror-attack-in-qayib-village/.
[viii] Garowe Online, @GaroweOnline, Twitter, November 30, 2022, https://twitter.com/GaroweOnline/status/1597914664175693829.
[ix] Goobjoog News, ”Three Journalists Arrested by Southwest Intelligence in Baidoa,” November 30, 2022, https://goobjoog.com/english/three-journalists-arrested-by-southwest-intelligence-in-baidoa/.
