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: STC President travels to Moscow to meet with Russian officials; Houthis and ROYG will exchange nearly 900 prisoners

Somalia: Jubbaland State forces and African Union forces clear al Shabaab in southwestern Somalia; al Shabaab launches a complex suicide vest attack in southwestern Somalia; al Shabaab continues its anti-drug campaign in southern Somalia; Somali president visits Uganda

Yemen Security Brief

Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Ayadrus al Zubaidi traveled to Moscow, Russia on March 18 to meet with several unnamed Russian government officials.[i] Southern Yemeni media report that the meetings likely covered the recent developments in peace negotiations and the issue of southern Yemeni sovereignty.[ii]

Reuters reported on March 20 that the Houthis and the Republic of Yemen government (ROYG) have reached an agreement to exchange more than 880 prisoners between the two sides.[iii] The Houthi Prisoner Affairs committee head announced via Twitter on March 20 that the Houthis would release 181 prisoners, including Saudi and Sudanese nationals, in exchange for 706 prisoners held by the Yemeni government.[iv]

Somalia Security Brief

Jubbaland State forces and African Union forces cleared al Shabaab from Dhobley district, Lower Jubba region, southwestern Somalia, on March 17. [v]

Al Shabaab launched a complex suicide vest attack targeting soldiers in military training in Bardhere district, Gedo region, southwestern Somalia, on March 18.[vi] An al Shabaab fighter detonated a suicide vest before al Shabaab gunmen raided the camp. The attack killed one soldier and wounded four others.[vii]

Al Shabaab assassinated three local anti-al Shabaab fighters for allegedly using hashish in Afgoye district, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, on March 19.[viii]  This attack is part of the anti-drug campaign that al Shabaab launched on February 26.[ix]

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in Kampala, Uganda, on March 20.[x] The presidents attended the graduation for newly trained Somali soldiers in Kampala and discussed the Somali government’s impending counterterrorism offensive in southern Somalia.[xi]


[i] Southern Transitional Council Official Website, “President Al-Zubaidi Arrives in Moscow, the Russian Capital,” March 18, 2023, https://en.stcaden.com/news/10890

[ii] SMA News, “President Al Zubaidi heads to Moscow upon Russia’s invasion,” March 18, 2023, https://en-smanews.org/south-arabia/president-al-zubaidi-heads-to-moscow-upon-russias-invitation/

[iii] Reuters, “Yemen’s Houthis and government reach prisoner exchange deal,” March 20, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemens-houthis-say-they-will-release-saudi-other-detainees-swap-tweet-2023-03-20/

[iv] Abdul Qadir al Murtada, @abdulqadermortd, Twitter, March 20, 2023, https://twitter.com/abdulqadermortd/status/1637752350961025027

[v] Radio Risaala, “The Jubbaland Security Forces and ATMIS carried out a joint operation,” March 17, 2023, https://radiorisaala.com/ciidanka-nabadsugida-jubbaland-kuwa-atmis-oo-howlgal-wadajir-ah-fuliyay/

[vi] Radio al Furqaan, “Details: Damage Caused By Last Night’s Attacks in Bardhere District,” March 19, 2023, http://www.https://radioalfurqaan.com/2023/03/tababare-ciidan-oo-xalay-lagu-dilay-xamar-weeraro-ka-dhacay-gedo-dhageyso/ ; Shabelle Media Network, “At least 1 dead in blasts and gun attack at training camp,” March 19, 2023, https://shabellemedia.com/at-least-5-dead-in-blasts-and-gun-attack-at-training-camp/

[vii] Calamada, “Details of the operation that took place in Bardheere,” March 20, 2023, https://calamada.com/faahfaahin-laga-helayo-howlgal-ka-dhacay-baardheere/ ; Radio al Furqaan, “Details: Damage Caused By Last Night’s Attacks in Bardhere District”

[viii] Calamada, “An explosion killed a soldier in Afgoye,” March 19, 2023, https://calamada.com/qarax-askar-lagu-dilay-oo-ka-dhacay-afgooye/ ; Radio al Furqaan, “ DF Soldiers Killed And Injured In An Explosion In Afgoye,” March 19, 2023, https://radioalfurqaan.com/2023/03/askar-tirsan-df-oo-dhimasho-iyo-dhaawac-ku-noqday-qarax-ka-dhacay-afgooye/

[ix] Hussein Mohamed, @HussienM12, Twitter, February 27, 2023, https://twitter.com/HussienM12/status/1630097278772862977?s=20

[x] Hiraan Online, “Somali, Ugandan Presidents attend graduation ceremony for newly trained soldiers in Kampala,” March 20, 2023, https://t.co/fHZk17Gcbi ; Radio Risaala, “President Hassan Sheikh spoke to his Ugandan counterpart about the second phase of the Al-Shabaab war,” March 20, 2023, https://radiorisaala.com/madaxweyne-xasan-sheekh-oo-dhiggiisa-dalka-uganda-kala-hadlay-wajiga-labaad-ee-dagaalka-al-shabaab/

[xi] Radio Risaala, “President Hassan Sheikh spoke to his Ugandan counterpart about the second phase of the Al-Shabaab war”

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