Military cooperation and arms sales between the Houthis (especially Iran-backed groups in Yemen) and Al-Shabaab (the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia) have increased, raising concerns about shipping security in the Red Sea.
Increased Regional Threats
The U.S. Africa Command has warned that these relationships are increasingly raising security risks in the region and could enhance Al-Shabaab's ability to carry out attacks in the Horn of Africa. This cooperation also gives the Houthis greater access to maritime corridors in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
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Transfer of Military Expertise
Reports indicate that cooperation between these two groups may include the exchange of technical expertise, smuggling routes, and access to coastlines, which undermines security in the Gulf of Aden. Daniele Garofalo, an intelligence and terrorism analyst, emphasized that the depth of this cooperation goes far beyond merely exchanging simple weaponry.
According to assessments, up to 1,500 fighters from Al-Shabaab and other Somali groups have been trained with the Houthis in Yemen. This estimate includes several groups and does not account for the confirmed number of Al-Shabaab members, but the reported scale of personnel movement raises concerns about the further organization of these collaborations.
Risks in Maritime Routes
This cooperation could help sustain the Houthis' maritime campaign while providing Al-Shabaab with more capabilities to attack Somali forces and the African Union. The risks arising from these collaborations are particularly felt in maritime routes where the Houthis have demonstrated their high capability in using missiles and unmanned systems.
Reports indicate that the threats from this cooperation not only affect commercial shipping but could also impose additional costs on shipping companies and naval forces for the protection of trade. These concerns are partly due to the fact that Al-Shabaab could strengthen existing campaigns in Somalia with technical assistance.
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