Researcher: Houthis and Al-Shabaab linked by shared interests
Yemeni political analyst Abdul Sattar Al-Shumairi says the Houthis and Somalia's Al-Shabaab are connected by mutual interests, not ideology.
Yemeni analyst Abdul Sattar Al-Shumairi claims the Houthi militia and Somalia's Al-Shabaab are linked by shared objectives, rather than ideological affinity. Speaking to Al-Hadath TV, Al-Shumairi noted the two groups have banded together due to the principle that "interests reconcile", despite ideological differences hindering extremist groups from collaborating on military matters and the shadow economy.
He further explained that additional factions have emerged along the African coast and Horn of Africa, following Al-Qaeda's weakening. These groups became "orphans" lacking support. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Al-Shumairi, then took over as architect, forging connections among these groups, broadening ties to incorporate Al-Qaeda factions in Yemen.
While the groups' tactical aim is securing military and financial resources for themselves, the wider objective of the Revolutionary Guard is to create a "belt of fire" stretching from Iran to Africa and then to Yemen.
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