![An ambulance stands at the Mogadishu Municipality Headquarters where al-Shabaab killed at least six people on January 22, 2023. [Hassan Ali Elmi/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2025/01/23/48864-somalia-shabaab-attack-739_416.webp)
ADEN -- Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the Horn of Africa and the Houthis in Yemen are involved in a complex arms trafficking and smuggling network facilitated by the Iranian regime, a new investigation reveals.
Weapons move from Iran to the Arabian Sea, then via small boats to Somali coasts controlled by al-Shabaab, political analyst Faisal Ahmed told Salaam Times affiliate Al-Fassel.
The Somali port of Bosaso serves as a pivotal hub, according to an Akhbar al-Aan investigation published December 12.
Key smuggling routes run through Puntland coastal towns such as Mareero and El Ayo, where small speedboats transport weapons and personnel.
On November 5, Somali forces intercepted part of a weapons shipment to al-Shabaab-controlled areas that included AK-47 rifles, PK machine guns, DShK heavy machine guns, RPG launchers and DJI Phantom drones.
Most of the weapons were Iranian-made, with a smaller percentage from China, Somali intelligence sources told Akhbar al-Aan.
Later in November, authorities apprehended a shipment of 13 drones moving through El Ayo region to the Madow Mountains. Puntland police intercepted two drones, while the remaining 11 reached Beledweyne in central Somalia.
Al-Shabaab has a history of carrying out violent attacks with little regard for civilian lives.
On October 17, an al-Shabaab suicide bomber blew himself up near a police academy in Mogadishu, killing at least seven people, including civilians, and wounding six others, AFP reported.
The assailant walked into a crowd of people enjoying tea under the shade of a tree, before detonating a device, a police statement said.
Iranian tutelage
By hosting al-Qaeda's de facto chief Saif al-Adel, the Iranian regime -- a key backer of the Houthis in Yemen -- has been able to co-opt al-Qaeda affiliates such as al-Shabaab, Ahmed told Salaam Times affiliate Al-Fassel.
Though al-Shabaab and the Houthis have very different ideologies, the Iranian regime has been able to subjugate them in service of its own agenda and interests, he said.
The Houthis operate an "external expansion" apparatus aimed at reaching the Horn of Africa with "intensive preparations" under way "under Iranian orders," political analyst Mahmoud al-Taher told Salaam Times affiliate Al-Fassel.
The Houthis are sending weapons to al-Shabaab in Somalia, he said, in service of the Iranian regime's bid control this area.
The Houthis and al-Shabaab prioritize "mutual interests" over their divergent ideologies, Abaad Center for Strategic Studies director Abdul Salam Mohammed told Salaam Times affiliate Al-Fassel.
The two groups share common interests in "controlling Bab al-Mandeb strait and international navigation in the Red Sea, under Iranian sponsorship," he said.
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The financial and arms support of the occupant Israeli regime by the United States and the West has led to the regime's open aggression and interventions.
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Part 2 Upon his arrival, God instructed Noah (PBUH) to craft pots from clay. Noah dedicated forty years to making clay pots. Forty years is a very long time. After this period, God then instructed him to destroy the pots. When Noah shattered them, he felt deeply saddened. Noah (PBUH) responded, “O Lord, You instructed me to make these pots, and I fulfilled Your command. Now, You ask me to destroy them. Why did You have me create them only to have me dismantle them?” A religious scholar elaborated that God conveyed to Noah, “O Noah, do you now comprehend the sorrow I felt when I caused My servants to perish due to your curse? This illustrates that God was grieved by the death of His people, even though they were disbelievers who rejected His divinity. Subsequently, Noah (PBUH) sought forgiveness from God for his actions. I apologize for the length of this story, but its essence underscores an important message: Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists—all are servants of Allah. They are all valuable. They are all beautiful. The same blood flows through all human beings, regardless of their beliefs. When this is the case, why should we hate one another? Why should we not help each other? If these fundamental questions are resolved, then what is the need to maintain nuclear weapons? I do not personally know how nuclear weapons can be destroyed, but even if the machines required to dismantle them are extremely expensive, humanity—especially nations like the United States, Russ
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I watched a clip on MSNBC today that featured a segment of a speech by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. In his speech, Mr. Trump stated that he, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, would work together to reduce or eliminate nuclear weapons. I appreciate and commend Trump's stance on this matter. If humanity truly wishes to survive, the first step must be the elimination of nuclear weapons. The next step should be to eliminate all weapons capable of killing multiple people at once. Finally, all weapons that take human lives should be eradicated. We, as human beings, are beloved creatures of God. God loves us, so why should we dishonor His love? It is unfortunate that some extremist Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians believe in eliminating followers of other faiths. This belief is entirely wrong. I once heard a Muslim religious scholar speak about the story of Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him). He mentioned that when Noah became deeply saddened by his people, he prayed to God to destroy the homes of the disbelievers and to annihilate them. However, it was not fitting for a prophet to lose patience and curse his people. God instructed Noah to build an ark. He followed the command, and some people, along with a number of animals, boarded the ark. Water gushed from the earth, and rain poured from the sky, flooding the land. Those on the ark were saved, while the rest of humanity perished in the flood. When the
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The religious scholar said: Allah told Noah, “O Noah, do you know how much sad I was when I destroyed my servants because of your bad prayer!?" It means that, Allah was saddened by the destruction and killing of his servants who did not accept Allah and were infidels. Then Noah (peace be up on him) asked Allah for forgiveness for himself. I apologize for the long story, but I meant to say that Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, etc. are all servants of Almighty Allah. All of them are worthy. All of them are beautiful. All of them have similar blood flowing in their bodies. When this is the case, why should we hate each other? Why should we not help each other? If these questions are answered, then what is the need to protect nuclear weapons? I myself do not know how can nuclear weapons be destroyed, but no matter how expensive the machines for destroying nuclear weapons are, humans, especially the United States, Russia, China, Germany, UK... must work on making such machines and destroy nuclear weapons all over the world. May God grant President Trump success in this matter so that he can convince other countries to destroy nuclear weapons and allow people to live in peace. [And that is not difficult for Allah] [Quran]
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Today I saw a clip from MSNBC that aired a part of a speech by US President Donald Trump. In his speech, Mr. Trump says that he (Trump) and Russian President Putin as well as the Chinese President want to work towards reducing or eliminating the nuclear weapons of all the three countries. I admire Trump’s opinion and congratulate him. If the humans really want to continue living, the first step should be to eliminate nuclear weapons. Then they eliminate the weapons that kill more than one person. In the third step, any weapon that kills a human being should be eliminated. We humans are the beloved servants of Allah (SWT). Allah loves us. Why should we disrespect the love of Allah? You know, some extremist Jews, extremist Muslims, extremist Buddhists, extremist Hindus and extremist Christians believe that they should kill followers of other religions, but this is completely wrong. I heard the words of a Muslim religious scholar. He said that Noah (peace be upon him) became very angry with his people (tribe) and asked Allah to destroy the houses of the disbelievers on earth and to destroy them. While it is not fitting for a prophet to lose patience and forbearance. So, Allah told him to make a ship. Noah made a ship. Several people and several animals boarded it. Water gushed out from the earth and rain fell down from the sky. The earth was filled with water. Those who have boarded on the ship were saved, but the rest of the people drowned. When the earth dried up and the people
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