Confessions reveal that the Houthis have established cells in the Horn of Africa to support their regional expansion.
Houthi Cells Established in the Horn of Africa
Recent revelations from an Eritrean citizen affiliated with the Afar tribe have shed light on the establishment of Houthi cells in the Horn of Africa. These cells aim to expand the group’s influence over the Red Sea region.
Recruitment and Training of Afar Tribe Members
Ali Ahmed Yaidi, who was recently apprehended on the western coast, spoke about the intensified activities of the Houthis in the Horn of Africa. He reported that the group actively recruits members of the Afar tribe, sending them to Yemen for combat training. The goal is to transform these individuals into versions of the Houthi movement or the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
According to Yaidi’s statements, the Houthis directed tribal members to areas under their control along the coast of Al Hudaydah Governorate. There, they received sectarian lectures from Houthi operatives, focusing on reinforcing Houthi beliefs and inciting conflict against the Yemeni government.
Targeting the Younger Generation
Yaidi also revealed that the Houthis proposed sending children from the Afar tribe to Yemen to alter their sectarian beliefs. This alarming tactic underscores the group’s strategy to indoctrinate the youth and secure a long-term foothold in the region.
Promises of Iranian Support
Furthermore, Yaidi indicated that the Houthis made Iranian-backed promises to support the independence of the Afar region from Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. This support would include financial and military assistance, mirroring the backing Iran has provided to Hezbollah and the Houthi movement in Yemen.
Implications for Regional Security
These confessions highlight the Houthis’ attempts to broaden their influence in the Horn of Africa. By establishing smuggling cells and recruiting local fighters, they pose an increasing threat to regional security. The situation calls for heightened vigilance and cooperation among neighboring countries to counteract this growing menace.
The developments in the Horn of Africa reflect a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape, with the Houthis seeking to extend their reach beyond Yemen. As these activities unfold, the international community must remain alert to the implications for stability in the region.
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