Two Of America’s Terrorist Enemies Forge An Unlikely Alliance

An unlikely alliance between Somalia’s al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis is giving al-Qaeda’s wealthiest affiliate access to more sophisticated weapons while extending the Houthis’ reach across one of the world’s most important shipping corridors.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the two groups — both designated terrorist organizations by the United States — have forged a partnership of sorts that could create more problems in the Middle East and further destabilize global energy markets.

The bond has developed despite a longstanding religious divide: Al-Shabaab embraces Salafi-Sunni Islam — and the Houthis adhere to Zaydi Shiism.

Because Somalia and Yemen sit on opposite sides of the Gulf of Aden — through which 12% of the world’s seaborne oil passes — their alliance gives them a unique opportunity to create and control a backdoor passage for Middle East oil that currently cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing hostilities.

Jibril “One-Armed” Yahya Ali, the report noted, served as a go-between funneling money from al-Shabaab — al Qaeda’s richest wing — to the Houthis in exchange for more advanced weapons and technology. As far back as 2023, Jibril was smuggling weapons out of Yemen and into the hands of al-Shabaab militants — but he was killed in a U.S. strike two weeks before the war with Iran began, and the question remains as to what will become of the growing alliance.

“You have al-Shabaab, al Qaeda’s largest and most lucrative affiliate, gaining access to more sophisticated weapons and training,” U.S. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of American forces in Africa, told the outlet. “On the other side, the Houthis are extending their geographic reach, gaining a foothold that could further destabilize one of the world’s most critical economic chokepoints. This isn’t just a regional problem. It has global implications.”

Evidence of cooperation between the two groups dates back to at least 2022, according to international nonprofit Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). According to ACLED’s data, open hostilities between al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Houthis dropped off and never really resumed.

“ACLED data shows AQAP’s drone use has increased by over 300% since its first recorded attack in May 2023. Yemeni and international sources also report drone technology transfers from the Houthis, while United Nations reporting documents smuggling links between the two groups within a wider regional network that also includes al-Shabaab in East Africa,” the group shared in a February Facebook post, but cautioned, “Claims of a formal alliance or coordinated attacks remain weakly documented.”

In 2024, The WSJ reported that al-Shabaab sent Sheik Ahmed Elmi Samatar to work alongside Jibril in his smuggling efforts. “Samatar presented the Houthis with a lengthy weapons wish list, viewed by the Journal, which included shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles, 107 mm Katyusha rockets, Dragunov sniper rifles, explosive attack drones, antitank missiles and U.S. night-vision gear.”

Efforts made by al-Shabaab to obtain more advanced weapons and technology were confirmed to the outlet by U.S. intelligence officials.

Weapons shipments were reportedly disguised as civilian products and sent across the Gulf of Aden via speedboat or even aboard fishing vessels, most of which docked and were unloaded where officials would not see them.

Several al-Shabaab militants have also spent time in Yemen, training alongside the Houthis in drone operations and other areas.

“I don’t know what their plans are, but there’s definitely something cooking,” said Brig. Gen. Ahmed Abdullahi Sheik, a former commander of Somali special forces — and his concern is clearly shared with U.S. military leaders as well.

So far in 2026, the United States has carried out at least 40 strikes against al-Shabaab targets in Somalia — compared with 41 such strikes carried out in total in 2025.