Mogadishu, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud confirmed that Somali security forces successfully seized a shipment of explosives and unmanned aerial vehicles coming from Yemen.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that Somali intelligence services had detected a continuous connection between the Houthi in Yemen and both ISIS and Al-Shabaab groups in Somalia, which led to the exchange of weapons and expertise.

“We successfully seized a secret shipment containing explosives and drones from Yemen, headed for Somalia, and we also captured a network of arms traders,” said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The president also highlighted the strategic importance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions for both security and global economic affairs. He mentioned that groups such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and the Houthi are active in these regions, cooperating secretly and switching roles in their fight against regional countries.

President Hassan said these groups seek to control the vital waters in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean coast, which are crucial trade routes for both the region and the world.

“Eliminating these terrorist groups in these two regions will determine the future security and economic well-being of the countries in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” said President Hassan.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also emphasized his belief that the security of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is a collective responsibility that requires cooperation and coordination among all countries in the region.