Somalia's president has accused the Houthis of destabilising the region and disrupting shipping through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, arguing the group is not in a position to bring peace to Yemen.
Key facts
- Somalia's president said the Houthis are 'not in a position' to bring peace to Yemen.
- The president accused the Houthis of destabilising the region.
- He said the group is disrupting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb.
- The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.
Somalia’s president has publicly criticised the Houthis, saying the group is ‘not in a position’ to bring peace to Yemen, according to Al Jazeera.
In his remarks, the president accused the Houthis of destabilising the wider region. The comments position Somalia’s leadership critically against the group amid ongoing tensions in and around the Red Sea.
The president also said the Houthis are disrupting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb, a narrow and strategically significant waterway that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for global shipping.
Al Jazeera reported the president’s statements, which frame the Houthis as a source of instability rather than a party capable of delivering a durable settlement in Yemen.
The source material does not include further detail on the context of the remarks, any response from the Houthis, or additional specifics about the president’s statements.
Why it matters
The Bab al-Mandeb is one of the world's most important shipping chokepoints, and disruptions there can affect global trade and regional security. A direct rebuke from a neighbouring head of state underscores how instability in Yemen is viewed as a broader regional concern.
Frequently asked questions
What did Somalia's president say about the Houthis?
He said the Houthis are 'not in a position' to bring peace to Yemen and accused them of destabilising the region, according to Al Jazeera.
Why is the Bab al-Mandeb important?
The president said the Houthis are disrupting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb. It is a strategic waterway, though the source does not provide further detail.
Where were these remarks reported?
The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.