Somaliland urges Somali government to address al-Shabab-Houthi alliance threat
Source: Hiiraan ONline, Monday September 23, 2024
Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, called on the Somali government to address the emerging relationship between the militant group al-Shabaab and Houthi fighters in Yemen.
In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Ahmed warned that the alliance between the two groups could destabilize regional security and urged immediate action.
“There is a strong relationship between the Houthis and al-Shabaab, and that poses a threat to peace in the region. The Somali government must take control of the situation and prevent further cooperation between these groups,” the minister said.
Ahmed also called on the international community to intervene, stressing that Somaliland alone cannot handle security threats in the Red Sea region. He highlighted the need for broader efforts to prevent the alliance from disrupting regional trade routes.
In June, U.S. intelligence revealed that Houthi fighters were discussing providing weapons to al-Shabaab. American officials are investigating whether Iran, which supports the Houthis militarily and financially, is involved in facilitating this weapons transfer.