MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government has rejected allegations that weapons entering the country are being routed onward to armed actors in the region, insisting there is no evidence that Somali territory is used to funnel arms to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, known as Ali Balcad, told Al Jazeera Net in an interview published Wednesday that Mogadishu is intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit arms flows across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea corridor and to prevent smuggling rings from exploiting Somali shores.
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“These allegations are not true. There is no information or data that indicates that arms are flowing from Somalia to the Houthis,” Ali Balcad said. “We are fighting to stop that.”
His remarks come amid heightened regional scrutiny of maritime security and weapons trafficking along some of the world’s busiest and most vulnerable sea lanes. The Gulf of Aden and Red Sea have faced persistent instability, with state and nonstate actors seeking to exploit porous coastlines and commercial shipping routes that link Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Somali officials framed the denial as part of a broader diplomatic and security push to tighten coastal defenses and deepen cooperation with neighbors confronting the same threats. The minister said Somalia remains focused on bolstering regional ties and coordinating practical measures with partners to curb illicit flows that fuel conflict and undermine governance.
Days before the interview, Somalia’s Minister of Defence Ahmed Moallim Fiqi held talks in Cairo with Yemen’s defence chief, Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed Ahmed Al-Daari. The meeting — attended by the Commander of the Somali National Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rage, and senior military officials from both sides — centered on strengthening defense cooperation and improving security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Both delegations, according to Somali officials, underscored the urgency of reinforcing maritime patrols and intelligence sharing along critical shipping routes shared by Somalia and Yemen. They discussed coordinated strategies to deter arms smuggling and other illicit activities that armed groups use to destabilize the two countries and the wider Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula.
While Somalia’s government acknowledged ongoing interdiction efforts to stop illegal arms shipments from Yemen, it pushed back firmly against claims that its territory serves as a transit hub for weaponry destined for the Houthis or any other regional actor. Officials argue that conflating Somalia’s own battle against smuggling networks with unproven allegations risks obscuring active cooperation now underway with partners, including Yemen, to tighten security along the coastline.
Key developments:
- Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs rejects claims of Somali involvement in weapons flows to the Houthis, citing lack of evidence.
- Mogadishu says it is intensifying actions to curb illicit arms movements from Yemen into and around Somali waters.
- Somali and Yemeni defense leaders met in Cairo to expand maritime cooperation across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
- Both sides highlighted the need for coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing and enforcement to protect vital shipping lanes.
The government’s message reflects a broader bid to reassure international partners, shippers and regional states that Somalia is aligned against illicit trade and is seeking to stabilize a corridor essential to global commerce. Authorities say strengthening maritime domain awareness, collaborating with neighboring states and targeting cross-border networks are central to that effort.
“Somalia remains committed to strengthening relations with countries in the region and is focused on promoting peace, stability, and genuine cooperation across the Horn of Africa,” Ali Balcad said.
As maritime security rises up the Horn of Africa agenda, Somalia’s stance places fresh emphasis on verifiable cooperation at sea and onshore. The government’s denial, paired with recent high-level defense talks, signals that Mogadishu wants to be seen not as a conduit for weapons, but as a partner in shutting those routes down.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
