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: Al Hawta Police arrest local AQAP leader in Lahj; President Zubaidi appoints Brigadier General Sayyed commander of Al Hizam Security Forces in Abyan; PLC Chief of General Staff meets with British Military Attache; PLC Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with US Ambassador to Yemen.
Somalia: Kenyan security forces clear area in northeastern Kenya; al Shabaab attacks contested town in southern Somalia; Kenyan police arrest individuals en route to join al Shabaab
Yemen Security Brief
Local police arrested an al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leader and media official in al Hawta city, Lahj governorate, on August 4.[i]
Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Aidarous al Zubaidi appointed Brigadier General Abdul Latif al Sayyed as commander of al Hizam Security Forces in Abyan governorate, on August 3.[ii]
PLC Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Sagheer Hammoud bin Aziz met with British Military Attache Peter Legacek and British Senior Security Advisor in Marib governorate, on August 2.[iii]
PLC Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Ahmed bin Mubarak met with US Ambassador to Yemen Stephen Fagin on August 3.[iv]
Somalia Security Brief
Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) cleared the area around Lango la Simba, Lamu County, northeastern Kenya, on August 1.[v] KDF forces reportedly killed at least 60 al Shabaab militants.[vi] The operation took place after al Shabaab ambushed civilian vehicles in the same area.[vii]
Al Shabaab attacked Somali National Army (SNA) forces near Goofgudud Buurey, Baidoa district, Bay region, on August 3.[viii] Al Shabaab and SNA forces have clashed frequently in the area with control of Goofgudud Buurey changing multiple times in the past several weeks.[ix]
Kenyan police arrested several people en route to join al Shabaab near Garissa, Kenya, on August 4.[x] Five of the arrestees are Tanzanian, and one is a Ugandan.
[i] Al Montasaf, “The arrest of the legitimate prince and the media official of Al-Qaeda in Lahj Governorate”, August 4, 2023, https://almontasaf.net/news90331.html.
[ii] Dera al Ganoob,” The Brigadier General congratulates the decision to appoint Abdul Latif al Sayed as commander of the security belt in Abyan governorate”, August 4, 2023, https://t.co/otukigItas.
[iii]Yem_army_media, Twitter, August 2, 2023, https://twitter.com/Yem_army_media/status/1686829318159167489.
[iv]Saba News, "The Foreign Minister meets the US Ambassador to Yemen”, August 3, 2023, https://www.sabanew.net/story/ar/100017.
[v] SONNALIVE, Twitter, August 2, 2023, https://twitter.com/SONNALIVE/status/1686705849454977024?s=20.
[vi] Shabelle Media, “The Kenyan Government Has Announced That It Has Killed 60 Members of Al-Shabaab,” August 2, 2023, https://shabellemedia.com/dowladda-kenya-oo-shaacisay-inay-dishay-lixdan-ka-tirsanaa-al-shabaab/.
[vii] Ada McKinney and Franklin Zheng, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 1, 2023,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 1, 2023, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-1-2023.
[viii] Caasimada, “Al-Shabaab Attacked Goofgaduud-Buurey for the Third Time,” August 3, 2023, https://www.caasimada.net/al-shabaab-oo-markii-saddexaad-weerartay-goofgaduud-buurey/.
[ix] Ada McKinney and Franklin Zheng, “Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 1, 2023,” Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, August 1, 2023, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-1-2023.
[x] The Star, “Five Tanzanians, Ugandan Arrested While Headed for Somalia,” August 4, 2023, https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-08-04-five-tanzanians-ugandan-arrested-while-headed-for-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab/.
