Gulf of Aden Security Review

Yemen: AQAP conducts several attacks on Southern Transitional Council–backed forces position in Abyan; Houthis launch ballistic missile targeting STC-backed forces in Hajjah

Somalia: Al Shabaab ambushes civilians in northeastern Kenya; al Shabaab attacks contested town in southern Somalia; Somali security forces arrest officers in connection with Mogadishu bombing

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters attacked a Southern Transitional Council (STC)–backed forces position with machine guns and mortars in Wadi Omran, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, on August 1.[i] AQAP fighters also detonated two improvised explosive devices (IED) in separate attacks targeting STC-backed forces in Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, on July 30 and August 1. [ii]

Houthis launched a ballistic missile from al Jawf governorate targeting STC-backed forces in Haradh front, Hajjah governorate, on July 30.[iii]

Somalia Security Brief

Al Shabaab militants ambushed civilian vehicles traveling along the Garsen-Witu-Lamu Highway near Lango la Simba, Lamu County, on August 1.[iv] The attackers killed two civilians, wounded nine, and kidnapped several others. A nearby Kenyan Defense Forces patrol intervened and forced the militants to retreat.

Al Shabaab attacked a Somali National Army (SNA) base near Goofgudud Buurey, Baidoa district, Bay region, southern Somalia, on July 30.[v] Militants claimed to kill two SNA soldiers and seize control of the base.[vi] The Somali Federal Government reported that SNA forces killed 15 militants, wounded 30 others, and successfully repelled the attack. Control of the Goofgudud Buurey area has changed several times in the past week.[vii]

Somali security forces arrested 14 military officers on July 29 in connection with facilitating the July 24 suicide bombing of the Jaalle Siyad military base in Hodan district, Mogadishu.[viii] A lone al Shabaab suicide bomber killed 30 SNA soldiers and wounded 50 others during that attack.[vii]