Al-Shabab has effectively nullified all gains made by the Somali National Army over the past two years and is now collaborating with the Houthi militant group to enhance its capabilities, according to senior U.S. defense officials.
Speaking anonymously to reporters, a senior U.S. defense official expressed surprise and concern over Al-Shabab’s newfound alliance with the Houthis.
This collaboration, still in its early stages, is seen by Houthi militants as a way to bolster their credibility while targeting American and British vessels in the Red Sea.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh highlighted over 190 incidents of Houthi attacks or threats against U.S. Navy and commercial ships in the region since November 19, 2023, underscoring the escalating maritime security threat.
Guled Ahmed, a Horn of Africa expert at the Middle East Institute, noted that with Iranian assistance, the Houthis aim to establish a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean, where they can supply advanced weaponry and drones to Al-Shabab.
This effort has already involved sending engineers to southern Somalia to aid in weaponizing the al-Qaida affiliate.
The United States has long sought to curb weapon flows into Somalia, with recent sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in arms smuggling from Yemen to Somalia.
Despite these efforts, Al-Shabab has managed to regroup, reaching a fighter count of 12,000 to 13,000 due to robust financing and recruitment drives, leveraging diplomatic agreements in the region.
The Somali National Army, previously gaining ground in central Somalia, has faced setbacks attributed to strategic shortcomings, corruption, and logistical challenges, including theft of military supplies for illicit trade.
U.S. defense officials emphasized the need for ongoing international support, particularly as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) approaches its conclusion.
As the security landscape evolves, these developments underscore the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabab and its expanding alliances, necessitating continued vigilance and international cooperation to address complex regional security challenges effectively.
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