Yemen's Interior Ministry Accuses Houthis of Coordinating with Qaeda, ISIS
The Yemeni Interior Ministry accused on Friday
Houthi militias of “direct coordination” with al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorists to
carry out sabotage attacks in areas falling under the control of the legitimate
government.
“We have information confirming the coordination
between the rebels, ISIS and Qaeda with an aim of executing terrorist attacks
against the government,” Interior Ministry official Maj. Gen. Mohammed Salem
bin Aboud al-Sharif told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The General described the coordination as “strong
and accurate” aiming to undermine the stability and security of the country.
Bin Aboud said the ministry was able to uncover the
presence of Qaeda and ISIS cells that were planning to target Yemeni figures
and place explosives in public places, after it carried out investigations with
detained terrorists, who were later referred to the Judiciary.
The official revealed that the suspects are Yemenis
and have links with Houthi fighters, who trained them and deployed them in the
liberated areas to undermine Yemen’s stability by executing criminal attacks
against figures and vital sites.
Bin Aboud said information collected by the
ministry’s apparatuses shows that Houthis are coordinating with Qaeda and ISIS
terrorists in several governorates by financing terrorist activities and
transferring money through exchange firms using fake names.
Asked about smuggling operations, the official said:
“Smuggling continues and it is increasing in areas controlled by Houthis, which
runs the three principle ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa,” he said.
