Somalia and US Confirm Growing Ties Between Al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthis
US and Somali security officials have confirmed that the relationship between Al-Shabaab and Yemen's Houthis is strengthening. This cooperation now includes arms transfers, military training, and direct collaboration between the two groups.
An investigation published by the Wall Street Journal revealed that ties between the groups have expanded since 2023. US, Somali, and Yemeni officials said Al-Shabaab receives modern weapons and military training from the Houthis. AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson warned that this development has global implications.
The report also noted that at least 100 Al-Shabaab fighters have been sent to Yemen for training by the Houthis. Intermediaries linking the two sides include Jibril Yahye Ali, who is reportedly involved in arms procurement. Intelligence indicates that weapons are smuggled into Somalia through Yemeni ports and northern Somali coasts.
