Houthis Expand Smuggling Network in Horn of Africa Using Hezbollah Model

New reports indicate that Yemen's Houthi rebels have transformed their smuggling operations from local activities into a vast network across the Horn of Africa, modeled after Lebanon's Hezbollah. According to Yemeni and regional security officials, the group has utilized intermediaries and organized crime networks to strengthen maritime and land routes for transporting weapons, drone components, and ballistic missiles. A regional security source told The National that Hezbollah taught the Houthis how to build spy networks and cultivate relationships with smugglers. These collaborations reportedly include technical knowledge exchange and military training. Meanwhile, UN reports and research institutions indicate that the Houthis have established ties with Al Shabab in Somalia and the Sudanese Armed Forces. This network is used not only to secure the Houthis' military needs but also to advance the regional agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to estimates by the US-based Middle East Institute, the Houthis have approximately 350,000 troops, including child soldiers, African refugees, and foreign mercenaries. Reports also suggest that the Houthis have expanded their cooperation with Iraqi militias by opening offices in Baghdad and Najaf.