Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has raised concerns over what he described as a growing and dangerous alliance between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and extremist groups operating in Somalia, including ISIS and Al-Shabaab.
In a recent public statement published by Alsharq Al-Awsat journal, President Mohamud said Somali intelligence has uncovered ongoing coordination between the Houthis and Somali-based terrorist networks. He revealed that this cooperation includes the transfer of weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and drone components from Yemen into Somalia.
“Our intelligence teams have intercepted several arms shipments originating from Yemen, including explosives and drone equipment. We have also dismantled smuggling networks linked to these operations,” he stated.
The President warned that this emerging cross-border alliance threatens to destabilize not only Somalia but the wider Horn of Africa and Gulf regions. He said that while the groups involved—such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and the Houthis—may differ in ideology, they are increasingly collaborating in their operations.
“This region is being targeted by terrorist groups that are coordinating attacks and sharing resources. Their collective aim is to undermine the stability of nations across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” he cautioned.
Highlighting the strategic importance of regional waterways, President Mohamud called for international cooperation to safeguard maritime routes and address the broader security threat.
“Securing Somalia is essential to securing the Red Sea corridor,” he said. “It’s a shared responsibility that requires unity among all affected nations.”
His remarks come amid growing security concerns, as attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea escalate and fears mount over Iranian-backed militant activity spreading across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.