Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – African Union forces and Somali security officials are expressing deep concern over the increasing likelihood that the militant group Al-Shabaab will soon begin using drones to plant landmines or carry out direct aerial attacks.
Security analysts in the Horn of Africa are urging regional governments—particularly Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia—to urgently increase investment in air defense systems as extremist organizations gain access to increasingly sophisticated military technologies.
Moses Okello, a senior analyst at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), warned that the growing drone capabilities of armed groups could significantly derail Somalia’s political stabilization efforts.
“Militant groups feel less inclined to negotiate with the government if they possess drones capable of launching devastating attacks,” said Okello.
A new United Nations report reveals that Al-Shabaab established contact with Yemen’s Houthi movement in 2024 to obtain advanced weaponry and drone training. The report highlights that the Houthis—who have previously targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea using drones—are now providing direct support to both Al-Shabaab and Daesh, with military equipment and training reportedly facilitated by Iran.
Additionally, a report by the Carnegie Endowment points to Somalia’s coastline as a major entry point for drone shipments, raising concerns that the threat from aerial attacks will continue to escalate across the region.