Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: AQAP ambushes STC-backed unit in Abyan governorate; STC-backed forces raid an AQAP safehouse in Abyan governorate; STC-aligned officials discuss responses to the al Dabba attack and PLC unity; Yemeni PLC commission calls for the “reconsideration” of Stockholm Agreement and truce; ROYG council classifies Houthis as a terrorist group

Somalia: Al Shabaab targets anti-al Shabaab offensive meetings in southern Somalia with a complex suicide siege; SNA forces attack an al Shabaab stronghold in south-central Somalia; SNA forces clash with al Shabaab militants in central Somalia, killing al Shabaab’s regional finance director

Yemen Security Brief:

Likely al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters ambushed a 3^rd Support and Reinforcement Brigade medical vehicle near Wadi Homran, Mahfad district, Abyan governorate, southern Yemen on October 22.^[i]

Unspecified Southern Transitional Council (STC)-backed forces raided an AQAP safehouse in Wadea district, Abyan governorate, on October 22. The STC forces killed two AQAP fighters.^[ii]

The STC-aligned head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) said that the STC will not “go to war” unless the PLC determines the status of the southern issue on October 24.^[iii] The STC National Assembly Speaker Ahmed bin Breik called on October 24 for the PLC to liberate Hudaydah after the Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Hadramawt on October 21.^[iv]

The Yemeni National Consultation and Reconciliation Commission called on the PLC to “reconsider” the Stockholm Agreement and the truce in Yemen on October 22.^[v]

The Yemeni National Defense Council classified the Houthis as a terrorist group on October 22.^[vi] The Council said that it will penalize “entities or individuals” providing support, assistance, facilities, or cooperation to the Houthis.

Somalia Security Brief:

Al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel in Kismayo, Lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, on October 23.[vii] The militants used a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device to destroy the hotel gates and gain entry.[viii] Three militants began shooting hotel guests and staff after entering the hotel compound. Local security forces battled the militants for 15 hours before killing them.[ix] Government officials claimed the attack killed nine civilians and wounded 47 more. Al Shabaab claimed the attack killed 27 people and wounded 53 more.[x] Local officials were reportedly meeting in the hotel to discuss plans for an anti-al Shabaab offensive.[xi] Al Shabaab warned on October 24 that it knows the time, place, and decisions of all meetings coordinating anti-al Shabaab operations and that it would continue to attack the meetings.[xii]

Somali National Army (SNA) and local militia forces attacked the al Shabaab stronghold of Cali Gadud in Adale district, Middle Shabelle region, south-central Somalia, on October 22.[xiii] Somali sources reported Turkish or American drones provided air support.[xiv] The SNA claimed to have cleared the settlement while other sources claimed that fighting is still ongoing. The SNA claimed the operation killed over 100 al Shabaab militants, including two senior commanders.[xv]

SNA forces fought al Shabaab militants in several places throughout Hiraan region, central Somalia. SNA commandos cleared the town of Qorfo, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on October 23. The SNA claimed the operation killed 20 al Shabaab militants.[xvi] SNA forces clashed with al Shabaab militants in Moqokori, Bulo Burde district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, on October 24. The SNA claimed to have killed al Shabaab’s finance director for the Hiraan region in the fighting.[xvii]