A Yemeni research center said that Iran has strengthened the presence of the Houthi militia in the countries of Eritrea, Djibouti and Sudan.

Al -Mokha Center for Strategic Studies confirmed that the Houthis took advantage of the Eritrean islands to smuggle weapons and train fighters before Asmara approximately with Saudi Arabia.

The research paper published by the center explained that Djibouti is accused of being a channel for smuggling weapons for the Houthis, taking advantage of its strategic location near Bab al -Mandab.

The center revealed a possible cooperation between the Houthis and the Somali Youth Movement for the smuggling of weapons.

The paper refers to the Houthi militia exploiting the current Sudanese crisis, and the conflict between the army and the rapid support forces, as Iran has revived its relationship with Sudan with the aim of providing it with weapons, through the mediation of the Houthi militia that has experience in smuggling.

She explained that this relationship came after a break that lasted about 8 years since Sudan participated in the Saudi -Emirati coalition.

In Eritrea, the paper indicates that Tehran has used its relations with the Eritrean system since 2008 to support the Houthis logistically.

She emphasized that Asmara provided islands and camps used to train and receive fighters and smuggle weapons through fishermen boats.

Despite Eritrea's announcement of cutting its relationship with Iran in 2014, the paper says that multiple indicators indicate the continued unannounced cooperation.

The most prominent of what it revealed is the recognition of one of the Eritrean recruits belonging to the Afar tribe of the establishment of the Houthis cells in areas overlooking the Red Sea, with Iranian financial and military support, while seeking to fuel the separatist tendencies in the Afri region common to Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

As for Djibouti, who resumed its relationship with Iran in 2023 AD after a seven -year break, during the past years, it was a theater for the Houthi movements, especially in periods of wars in Yemen.

near Djibouti of Yemen is a strategic advantage that the Houthis used to transport weapons through small boats from Iranian ports to the Djiboutian territorial waters, then to Yemen.

The paper also reveals the existence of relations between the Houthis and the Djiboutian figures in the port of Djibouti and the security services.

She continues that this "enabled the Houthi group to create alternative and effective smuggling paths, out of sight."

In Somalia, the paper monitors a complex alliance between the Houthis, the al -Qaeda and the Mujahideen Youth Movement, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

The confessions of a Houthi recruiter, broadcast by the Yemeni resistance media, reveal extensive smuggling of weapons, equipment and individuals, launched in late 2024 across the Somali land and water, and in coordination with local pirates.

Intelligence information indicates that there is a potential agreement between the Houthis and the Mujahideen Youth Movement to exchange security and security coordination, which enhances fears of the Red Sea’s transformation into a regional security focus.

The paper indicated that the continued Houthi expansion in the West Bank of the Red Sea, without an actor, will mean expanding the patch of threats to include not only Yemen, but the entire region, including navigation and international trade.