Yemeni authorities arrest Houthi cells plotting attacks in Aden, Lahij and Abyan

Yemen’s Interior Ministry announced it had dismantled several cells linked to the Houthi militia in September, saying the groups had planned to incite chaos and carry out attacks targeting security and military leaders in the interim capital Aden and the provinces of Lahij and Abyan, as well as targeting military reinforcements and supply lines.

The ministry revealed details of these operations during a joint press conference held Monday in Aden, attended by Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Haidan, Minister of State and Aden Governor Abdulrahman Sheikh, Lahij Governor Murad Al-Halimi, and Deputy Minister of Information Salah Al-Aqel.

Haidan discussed what he described as Houthi plans to undermine security and stability in liberated areas, noting that the militia exploits its control over telecommunications and internet sectors for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and supporting its sabotage and terrorist activities.

The Yemeni interior minister accused the Houthis of recruiting children, women, African migrants, and the elderly to destabilize security and disturb public order in liberated provinces.

Haidan said: “Security forces are engaged in an ongoing battle, without pause, against the terrorist plots of the Iran-backed Houthi militia to strengthen security and stability,” stressing that the victories achieved by security units in securing the home front form a cornerstone for completing the liberation battle and achieving the victory Yemenis have sought for over a decade.

He added: “We are fighting our battle against the terrorist Houthi militia, which has adopted terrorism as an ideological approach and abandoned the teachings of our true Islamic faith. Their terrorism has gone beyond targeting local communities in liberated provinces to attacking Islamic holy sites—Mecca and Medina—which are the holiest places for Muslims and hold deep religious significance for more than a billion Muslims worldwide.”

Haidan affirmed that protecting the home front is an integral part of Operation ‘Dawn of Yemen,’ which he said Yemenis hope will restore state institutions and liberate every inch of the country’s territory.