Mogadishu – The recent decision by the Somali government to join the international coalition against the Houthi group operating in Yemen is a step worthy of recognition, according to Ali Abdi Wardheere (Cali Yare Cali), former Head of Security and Political Affairs of the Banadir Region.
Cali Yare emphasized that the Houthi group maintains strong ties with Iran’s Shiite establishment and has provided both technical and military support to the Al-Shabaab militants operating in Somalia. He stated that the Houthis have sent engineers skilled in constructing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to assist Al-Shabaab and have delivered arms support on at least six separate occasions.
“This is a courageous and commendable move by the Somali government to join international efforts aimed at fighting extremist groups that threaten the peace and stability of the region,” he noted.
He also expressed concern over a segment of the Somali public who appear confused about the Houthi agenda, with some believing that their actions are justified due to their claimed support for Palestine. Cali Yare stressed that there is no actual military confrontation between the Houthis and Israel, but rather a propaganda strategy orchestrated by Iran’s regional ambitions.
He underlined the importance of distinguishing between Islam as a religion and the political identity of Arab nations, quoting the famous Somali scholar Sheikh Mustafa Isma’il Harun who said: “You can worship your Lord in Somali, and you can pray in any language.”
Cali Yare concluded by asserting that the Houthis are merely proxies serving Iranian interests and are among those supplying Al-Shabaab with chemical weapons used to massacre Somali civilians. He called on the federal government to secure strong military partnerships to protect the nation from potential retaliation or threats from the Houthi-Iranian alliance.
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