Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of fueling regional instability and disrupting maritime traffic through the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of contributing to instability in the region and disrupting maritime traffic through the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hassan said Somalia wanted to see Yemen become a peaceful and unified country that maintains constructive relations with other states in the region.
“We would like to see a peaceful Yemen, a united Yemen that works for the region,” Hassan said, stressing the importance of stability in the country across the Gulf of Aden.
But the Somali president questioned whether the Houthis currently had either the capacity or the willingness to contribute to Yemen’s unity and stability.
He accused the movement of operating outside established international rules and structures, saying its actions had broader consequences for security and stability across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
“The problem in Yemen at this time is the Houthis,” Hassan said, identifying the group as the main source of instability in the country.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have been involved in a prolonged conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and other armed factions. The group has also carried out attacks against commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, saying the attacks are linked to the war in Gaza.
The Bab al-Mandab strait is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and providing a key shipping route between Europe and Asia.
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Disruptions in the waterway have raised concerns across the region because ships travelling between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal can be forced to take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
Somalia lies directly across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, placing it close to the maritime corridor. The country has also experienced the effects of the Yemeni conflict through increased arrivals of people fleeing violence and instability across the Gulf.
Hassan’s remarks come as regional governments continue to express concern over insecurity around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where attacks on shipping have complicated international trade and heightened tensions.
Somalia has sought to strengthen its role in regional security while working with neighboring countries and international partners to address threats affecting the Gulf of Aden and the wider Horn of Africa.
The president’s comments also reflect Mogadishu’s broader interest in stability across the Red Sea region, given Somalia’s long coastline and its proximity to one of the world's busiest maritime routes.
Hassan said Somalia’s preference was for Yemen to emerge as a stable and unified state capable of cooperating with its neighbors and contributing to regional peace, rather than becoming a source of insecurity for surrounding countries and international shipping.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
Somalia condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, warns of regional security threat
