Iranian-backed Houthis seek to establish terror influence in Africa

Originally published in AllIsraelNews.

The Iranian-backed Yemen-based Houthi rebels are reportedly seeking to expandtheir terrorist activities into the neighboring African continent with Tehran’s assistance. Arab media reports recently claimed that Iraqi authorities are trying to limit the presence and influence of the Houthis on Iraqi soil, where the organization is training some of its terrorists for future expanded missions. 

For nearly a year and a half, the Houthi terror group has made international headlines for its repeated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and on Israel, which it has vowed to destroy. While less covered by the media, in recent years, the Houthis have committed acts of terror in the strategic Horn of Africa region, which includes volatile countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti.

Controlling this region would enhance the Houthi capabilities to close down international shipping in the vital Red Sea waterway, which undermines the global economy. Furthermore, a firm presence in the area would also transform the Houthis from an Iranian terrorist proxy located in the periphery into a fighting force that is geographically closer and thereby more capable of attacking the Jewish state. 

Danny Citrinowicz, a fellow at the INSS Iran Program in Tel Aviv and former head of the Iran desk in Israel’s military intelligence research division, explained that the Houthis are already active in the Horn of Africa, where they recruit local operatives. 

“The strategic focus is the Horn of Africa,” Citrinowicz assessed, “but the Houthis have also threatened Israel from the Cape of Good Hope (Southern Africa) and shown interest in North Africa. Their connection to Africa is far more organic than Iran’s, so they’re the tip of the spear,” he continued. 

While the Houthis remain an Iranian proxy, Citrinowicz believes the Yemeni terror group is far more independent than other Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. 

“The Houthis are the most independent proxy Iran has. There’s coordination and weapons transfers but Iran has limited influence over their decision-making. Striking Iran in hopes of halting the Houthis won’t work – these are Houthi-led operations that just happen to serve broader Iranian interests,” the security expert assessed. 

Looking ahead, he believes that the Houthis constitute a growing threat to Western nations and Israel. 

“It’s a broader threat to both Israeli and Western interests. The Houthi issue must be viewed through an African lens, as well,” Citrinowicz argued.

The Houthi group’s growing Africa focus has resulted in growing cooperation with local Jihadist organizations like al-Shabaab, a Somali-based al-Qaeda affiliate terrorist organization. The cooperation is reportedly mutually beneficial. The Houthis provide the al-Shabaab operatives with training and weapons, and in exchange, the al-Shabaab organization has reportedly vowed to increase its profitable pirate operations in the Gulf of Aden and outside the Somali coast. 

Citrinowicz articulated concerns about the growing cooperation between the Houthis and the al-Shabaab movement. 

“This group is fighting a government backed by the U.S. and UAE. With Houthi support, it poses a much more serious threat – from piracy to direct attacks on shipping. If al-Shabaab manages to seize control of Somali territory, it will be a major gain for the Houthis. Ideological differences don’t matter when strategic interests align,” he warned. 

In March, US President Donald Trump ordered the United States military to strike the Houthis in Yemen due to their systematic attacks on US and international shipping. 

“Today I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. “They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other ships, aircraft and drones.”

Trump has also put Iran on notice, warning Tehran that it will be held responsible for continued Houthi attacks on US interests. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Please help us to keep on publishing news that brings Hope in Jesus:

>> Donate  >> Become a Super Subscriber

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/gatewaynews100

COMMENTING GUIDELINES
You are welcome to engage with our articles by making comments [in the Comments area below] that add value to a topic or to engage in thoughtful, constructive discussion with fellow readers. Comments that contain vulgar language will be removed. Hostile, demeaning, disrespectful, propagandistic and off-topic comments may also be moved. This is a Christian website and if you wish to vent against Christian beliefs you have probably come to the wrong place and your comments may be removed. Ongoing debates and repetitiveness will not be tolerated. You will also disqualify yourself from commenting if you engage in trolling.