President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has revealed a concerning development in regional security, disclosing that Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has intercepted arms shipments and drones smuggled from Yemen into Somalia. Speaking on the matter, the President confirmed that several individuals involved in the illicit arms trade have been arrested. “We’ve arrested smugglers facilitating a growing link between the Houthis, ISIS, and Al-Shabaab,” the President stated.
In a powerful op-ed published by Asharq Al-Awsat, President Mohamud warned of an emerging and dangerous convergence of terrorist factions operating across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. “Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and the Houthis — despite their ideological and strategic differences — are forming covert alliances that threaten the security and stability of Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and the broader Gulf region,” President Mohamud wrote.
The Somali leader underscored the strategic importance of Somalia’s stability, particularly its role in the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, two of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. “Peace in Somalia is not only a national imperative but a cornerstone for regional stability,” he emphasized.
Calling for stronger international collaboration, President Mohamud urged both regional neighbors and global powers to respond decisively. “The security of these waters is a shared responsibility. We call on our partners to stand with us against the expanding networks of terror and arms smuggling,” he added.
