US intelligence has discovered discussions between Houthis in Yemen and the Somali militant group al-Shabaab regarding the potential transfer of weapons, posing a significant threat to the already volatile region. Efforts are being made to determine if Iran, which supports the Houthis, is involved in the agreement and to gather evidence of weapon transfers to Somalia. The US has been cautioning countries in the region about this cooperation, and African nations have expressed concerns and requested more information on the matter.
Despite ideological differences, the Houthis and al-Shabaab are considering collaborating due to their shared antagonism towards the United States. This potential alliance has raised concerns about exacerbating conflicts in Somalia and the Red Sea. The deal would offer the Houthis a new source of income while providing al-Shabaab access to advanced weapons that could target US assets. The prospect of military cooperation between these two groups could undermine a tenuous ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, as well as jeopardize a proposed UN peace roadmap for Yemen.
The exact nature of the weapons that the Houthis might supply to al-Shabaab remains uncertain, but it is believed that the agreement would involve more substantial weaponry than what the Somali group currently possesses. While al-Shabaab may have limited opportunities to directly target US assets in the region, the potential transfer of weaponized drones and missiles from the Houthis could pose a significant threat. US officials are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the potential implications of such a collaboration on regional stability.
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