US intel: Houthis in Yemen in talks to arm al-Shabaab in Somalia

US intelligence has uncovered discussions between Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Somali militant group al-Shabaab about potentially providing weapons, posing a significant threat to regional stability. The US is now investigating whether Iran, a supporter of the Houthis, is involved in this agreement. The possibility of this alliance, despite ideological differences, could worsen the situation in Somalia and the Red Sea region.

This potential deal could offer the Houthis a new source of income and provide al-Shabaab access to more advanced weaponry, including drones. While smuggling of small arms between groups in Yemen and Somalia is not uncommon, a formal weapons agreement between these two groups would be unprecedented. This cooperation could undermine the fragile ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and go against the UN’s proposed roadmap for peace in the region.

There are concerns about what types of weapons the Houthis might provide to al-Shabaab, but the logistics of directly targeting US assets remain challenging for the Somali group. Despite their desire to strike at US interests, internal conflicts with ISIS in northern Somalia may limit al-Shabaab’s capabilities.

This potential partnership between the Houthis and al-Shabaab highlights the shifting alliances in the region and the complexities of regional conflicts.

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