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: Saudi Arabia deposits $1 billion into Yemen’s central bank; advisor to UAE President meets with UN Special Envoy to Yemen to discuss peace talks; Houthi defense minister threatens “countries of aggression” in speech; Shabwah Defense Forces deploy on counterterrorism mission
Somalia: Al Shabaab mortars military base in southwestern Somalia; al Shabaab detonates an IED targeting KDF in northeastern Kenya; al Shabaab attacks a security checkpoint in northeastern Somalia; Somali federal and state forces clear an al Shabaab base in north-central Somalia
Yemen Security Brief
Saudi Arabia deposited $1 billion into the Yemeni government (ROYG) central bank on February 21. Saudi state media said the move will strengthen the Yemeni economy and allow the ROYG to implement economic reforms amidst the humanitarian crisis on February 21.[i]
Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President Anwar Gargash met with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg in the UAE on February 21.[ii] They discussed the necessary conditions for a sustainable political solution.
Houthi Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser al Atifi warned Saudi Arabia and the UAE that the Houthis would target their strategic infrastructure if peace negotiations continue to stall during a speech on February 23.[iii]
The Shabwani Defense Forces deployed several units, including the 1st Shabwani Defense Brigade on counterterrorism missions in the Markha and Nissab districts, Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen on February 21.[iv]
Somalia Security Brief
Al Shabaab mortared a Jubbaland State forces base in Afmadow district, Lower Jubba region, southwestern Somalia, on February 24.[v] Jubbaland regional officials claimed some shells landed inside the base but did not cause any casualties.[vi]
Al Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device targeting a Kenya Defense Force vehicle in Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, on February 24.[vii] The explosion killed at least two of the four soldiers onboard, and the other two soldiers are missing.[viii]
Al Shabaab militants attacked a Puntland State forces security checkpoint with small arms and likely mortar fire in Bossaso, Bari region, northeastern Somalia, on February 23.[ix]
The Somali National Army (SNA) and Galmudug State forces cleared an al Shabaab base in Farah Adan, Mudug region, north-central Somalia, on February 23.[x] The SNA claimed the operation killed 30 al Shabaab militants.[xi]
[i] AP News, “Saudi Arabia deposits $1 billion into Yemen’s central bank,” February 21, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-yemen-government-saudi-arabia-50a352867022c6ce7f383c1ab30f7713
[ii] Al Bayan, “Anwar Gargash meets the UN Envoy to Yemen,” February 21, 2023, https://www.albayan.ae/world/gcc/2023-02-21-1.4619484
[iii] Twitter, Shahid al Masirah, February 23, 2023, https://twitter.com/ShahidAlmasirah/status/1628734270817685504
[iv] Dera al Ganoob, “Shabwa Defense Forces expand their deployment to secure the districts of Markha and Nisab,” February 21, 2023, https://deraalganoob.com/archives/20640#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d9%2582%25d9%2588%25d8%25a7%25d8%25aa-%25d8%25af%25d9%2581%25d8%25a7%25d8%25b9-%25d8%25b4%25d8%25a8%25d9%2588%25d8%25a9-%25d8%25aa%25d9%2588%25d8%25b3%25d8%25b9-%25d9%2585%25d9%2586-%25d8%25a7%25d9%2586%25d8%25aa%25d8%25b4%25d8%25a7%25d8%25b1%25d9%2587%25d8%25a7-%25d9%2584%25d8%25aa%25d8%25a3%25d9%2585%25d9%258a%25d9%2586
[v] Shabelle Media Network, “Al-Shabaab launched an artillery attack on base in Afmadow,” February 24, 2023, https://shabellemedia.com/al-shabaab-oo-weerar-madaafiic-ah-ku-qaaday-saldhig-ku-yaalla-degmada-afmadow/
[vi] Shabelle Media Network, , “Al-Shabaab launched an artillery attack on base in Afmadow”
[vii] The Star, “Two cops killed, 2 missing after vehicle hits IED in Garissa,” February 24, 2023,
[viii] The Star, “Two cops killed, 2 missing after vehicle hits IED in Garissa”
[ix] Shabelle Media Network, “The attack started with explosions in Bosaso city,” February 24, 2023,
https://shabellemedia.com/weerar-ku-billowday-qaraxyo-oo-ka-dhacay-magaalada-boosaaso/ ; Calamada, “An explosion that burned a car outside Bosaso,” February 24, 2023, https://calamada.com/qarax-gaari-lagu-gubay-oo-ka-dhacay-duleedka-boosaaso/
[x] Caasimada, “30 Al-Shabab killed in an operation in MUDUG region,” February 24, 2023, https://www.caasimada.net/30-al-shabaab-ah-oo-lagu-dilay-howl-gal-ka-dhacay-gobolka-mudug/
[xi] Caasimada, “30 Al-Shabab killed in an operation in MUDUG region”
