26.08.2026, 23:04
The Houthis are expanding their influence in the Somali peninsula
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS The Houthis are strengthening their positions in the area of the Somali peninsula by strengthening ties with the Al-Shabab group (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) and the Sudanese military, The National newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing a report by the Century Foundation analytical center.
"The Houthis (...) There are things these forces need: weapons, technology, knowledge, supply channels, and access to Iran," the report says.
According to his findings, the Houthis' presence in the region relies on the networks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which provide training and weapons supplies to local groups.
In particular, Al-Shabab began contacting the Houthis in 2024 to help them purchase anti-aircraft weapons and drones. However, there is no indication that Al-Shabab was able to acquire and use these weapons.
Also, according to the Century Foundation, the Houthis have been supplying small arms to Sudan since 2024. Houthi representatives are in Port Sudan and are ensuring the delivery of weapons across the Red Sea in both directions. At the same time, there are suggestions that Houthi engineers, along with IRGC specialists, are training the Sudanese military to produce and use Iranian-designed unmanned systems.
In addition, the Houthis, with the support of Iran, could establish ties with Eritrea, which could facilitate the smuggling of weapons from Iran to Yemen. "If these claims are true, it could mean that the Houthis have built logistics routes, not continuous, along the African coast of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, from northeastern Somalia to northern Sudan," the report concludes.
In July, the Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in response to the blockade of ports in Yemen and the attack on the international airport in Sanaa. The blockade applies to all maritime transport heading to and from Saudi ports. As a result, due to the actions of the Houthis, Saudi vessels had great difficulties trying to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
"The Houthis (...) There are things these forces need: weapons, technology, knowledge, supply channels, and access to Iran," the report says.
According to his findings, the Houthis' presence in the region relies on the networks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which provide training and weapons supplies to local groups.
In particular, Al-Shabab began contacting the Houthis in 2024 to help them purchase anti-aircraft weapons and drones. However, there is no indication that Al-Shabab was able to acquire and use these weapons.
Also, according to the Century Foundation, the Houthis have been supplying small arms to Sudan since 2024. Houthi representatives are in Port Sudan and are ensuring the delivery of weapons across the Red Sea in both directions. At the same time, there are suggestions that Houthi engineers, along with IRGC specialists, are training the Sudanese military to produce and use Iranian-designed unmanned systems.
In addition, the Houthis, with the support of Iran, could establish ties with Eritrea, which could facilitate the smuggling of weapons from Iran to Yemen. "If these claims are true, it could mean that the Houthis have built logistics routes, not continuous, along the African coast of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, from northeastern Somalia to northern Sudan," the report concludes.
In July, the Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in response to the blockade of ports in Yemen and the attack on the international airport in Sanaa. The blockade applies to all maritime transport heading to and from Saudi ports. As a result, due to the actions of the Houthis, Saudi vessels had great difficulties trying to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
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