BOSASO, Somalia (Kaab TV) – The Houthi militia in Yemen has released photos confirming the death of what it described as its first Somalia-born fighter killed in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The fighter was identified as Mohamed Saleh Sheikh Mohamed Dahir, from Dafeed village in the Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.
His death was confirmed in a public statement issued by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which also published images of his grave, claiming responsibility for his burial.
Dahir appears to be the first known Somali national confirmed killed while fighting for the Houthis, although security sources indicate he is not the only Somali reportedly associated with the group.
The exact location and date of his death have not been disclosed.
The announcement provides rare but significant confirmation of the presence of Somalia-born fighters within the Houthi movement, a Shiite armed group engaged in a prolonged conflict against the internationally recognised government of Yemen.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations have designated the Houthi movement as a terrorist organisation, citing its attacks on civilians, regional destabilisation, and threats to international security.
Threats against Somaliland
The Houthis rose to global prominence following a series of attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, actions they said were linked to the regional fallout from the October 7, 2023 war in Israel and Gaza.
In recent statements, the group has also issued threats against Somaliland, following political developments involving Israel—claims that have heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, though details remain contested.
About a year ago, U.S. media reports revealed that the Houthi militia had begun establishing links with the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia.
These concerns were later echoed in United Nations monitoring reports, which warned of potential cooperation between the two extremist organisations.
Authorities in Puntland State of Somalia have also warned that ISIS militants are using Yemen as a logistical hub to facilitate weapons procurement and to launder illicit finances through smuggling networks operating along the Gulf of Aden route, highlighting broader security risks across the region.
Separately, investigative reporting has suggested that the Houthi militia may be attempting to evade international sanctions by using southern Somalia as a financial conduit, including alleged money-laundering activities.
These reports claim the group exploits weak oversight mechanisms to move funds through local networks, though official enforcement actions against Somalia-based facilitators remain limited.