The Mirror can exclusively reveal that Iran is defying US threats by secretly unifying its Shia proxy, the Houthis, with the Sunni al-Qaeda loyalist group al-Shabab in Somalia. This move aims to control the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route, and escalate pressure on the US and its allies.
Houthi-al-Shabab Alliance Targets Red Sea Chokepoint
Mirror sources report that pro-Iranian Houthis have prepared to link up with al-Shabab, supplying them with drones, arms, and missiles. The goal is to paralyse the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow 18-mile-wide waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Approximately 12% of worldwide trade and £3 million worth of oil barrels pass through daily, sitting on the direct route between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
One source told the Mirror: “The Houthi rebel group, Tehran’s most capable regional proxy is laying the groundwork to close the strait, quietly extending its reach to the Horn of Africa. The Houthis will work with al-Shabab, the Somali militant group to control both sides of the waterway and inflict more pain on the global economy and increase pressure on Donald Trump. There are a lot of indicators showing co-ordination between the Houthis and al-Shabab.”
Iran Threatens Regional Destruction
Tehran’s military defied Washington’s threats, with Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warning: “If the United States dares to target Iranian infrastructure we will destroy every last piece of infrastructure in the entire region as if it had never existed and bring the Arabs back to the age of camels and sandals.” This statement came as US forces launched their most powerful strikes deep inside Iran, marking a shift in tempo from defensive to offensive operations.
US 'Shaping Operation' Signals Potential Ground Offensive
US forces launched strikes described by commanders as a “shaping operation,” a term typically used before a major ground offensive to degrade enemy defences. The air force and navy are braced to bombard Iran’s infrastructure, including bridges and energy supply depots, following a warning from President Donald Trump. London-based think tank BICOM noted: “Overnight, US forces launched their biggest air operation since the ceasefire went into effect, hitting targets not just on the coastline but also deep in Iran and inside the Tehran metropolitan area... The term ‘shaping operation’ would seem to indicate that they are taking out targets that could get in the way of a future planned operation.”
Houthi 'Decapitation Preparation' and Shadow Leaders
The Houthis have adopted a tactic from Iran’s experience of warfare with the US: ‘decapitation preparation,’ lining up successors if a leader is killed. Chief Abdul Malik al-Houthi has pre-designated a family member to replace him as part of a system of “shadow leaders.” This preparation underscores the seriousness of the alliance and the potential for prolonged conflict.
Impact on Global Trade and Regional Stability
If Iran imposes paralysis on Bab el-Mandeb, the effect could be catastrophic alongside blocking the Strait of Hormuz. The alliance between Shia Houthis and Sunni al-Shabab marks a significant escalation, threatening western economies and drawing al-Qaeda closer to Iran. Despite being battered by US strikes, Iran could still control both main waterways, crippling global trade. The Mirror’s sources indicate that the Houthis are transferring drone technology to al-Shabab on behalf of Iran, making them the lead force in the region, but Iran is not showing all its cards yet.
