Iran-Houthis’ Expansion Plan in the Horn of Africa,Key Opratives Idenified

Haatuf Online, August 24, 2025

The Houthis, acting on behalf of Iran, are currently pursuing a strategy to establish strong networks and loyal agents within the Horn of Africa, with the aim of advancing both their short-term and long-term interests.
Parts of this plan have already been implemented with the support of Iranian intelligence and government forces.

The objectives of this plan are as follows:

1. Expand Iranian influence – To ensure that Iran gains weight and influence in the political affairs of the Horn of Africa, competing with rival states in the region as well as with the United States.
2. Control maritime routes – To establish networks inside Horn of Africa coastal states that serve the Houthis in order to secure:

(i) sea corridors used to deliver weapons from Iran to the Houthis,

(ii) maritime routes used by the Houthis for the smuggling trade in weapons, drugs, and people.

3. Recruit fighters – To enlist new combatants from migrants and refugees who cross from Horn of Africa countries into Yemen.
4. Spread the extremist version of Shiism –
   .To propagate Shiite Islam across the Horn of Africa, thereby creating loyal communities aligned with Iran and the Houthis, with direct outreach to the local tribes of these

Houthi–Iran Expansion Network in the Horn of Africa

Key Operatives & Roles

1. Abdulwahid Abu Raas (Al-Jawf, Yemen)

Lead architect of Houthi expansion into the Horn of Africa.

Coordinator between Houthi leadership and Iranian military/intelligence officers.

Handler of covert operations bringing Iranian & Hezbollah officers into Yemen.

Liaison with Al-Shabaab and other militant networks in the Horn/East Africa.

Recently “covered” with a political post as Deputy Foreign Minister in the Houthi administration.

2. Hassan Ahmed Al-Kakhlani (41, Hajjah, Yemen)

Head of Houthi external intelligence operations.

Holds deep, privileged ties with Iranian officers → considered the most powerful man in Houthi intelligence.

Led 2004 assault on Sana’a airport runway.

Runs economic pressure operations: extortion & intimidation of businessmen to fund Houthi agendas.

3. Adham Hamid Al-Afari (Afar ethnicity)

Intelligence chief for Horn of Africa diaspora in Yemen.

Recruitment officer: selects fighters from Horn of Africa communities.

Manages clandestine Houthi cells operating inside Horn of Africa states.

Oversees migrant smuggling pipelines into Yemen.

4. Mohamed Salah Ibrahim Said (Somalia)

Top Somali operative for the Houthis in the Horn.

Direct Houthi–Al-Shabaab link manager.

Reports personally to Abdulwahid Abu Raas.

5. Osama Hassan Al-Makhidi

Coordinator of migrant smuggling networks into Houthi-controlled areas.

Connects with clan elders in the Horn to recruit Houthi intelligence sources.

Propagator of Shiism across the Horn of Africa via embedded operatives.

Key broker of arms & narcotics trafficking → both exporting from Yemen and importing via Horn of Africa routes.