Interior Minister: Houthis and their allies are leading smuggling operations that threaten the security of the region

The Minister of Interior, Major General Ibrahim Haydan, stressed the need to confront terrorist activities and smuggling operations run by the Houthi militias and their allies, as they pose a direct threat to regional and international security.

During his speech at the 42nd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers held in Tunisia on Sunday, Minister Haidan called on Arab countries and the international community to enhance security cooperation to stop these threats, according to Saba Agency.

The Minister of Interior stressed that the Iranian-backed Houthi militias continue to threaten international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, in addition to managing arms and drug smuggling networks that fuel their terrorist activities and threaten the security of Arab countries.

The Minister welcomed the reclassification of the Houthis as a terrorist group by the United States, considering it an important step to confront the danger posed by these militias, stressing that Yemen continues its efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime despite the economic and security challenges.

Major General Haidan praised the role of the Yemeni Coast Guard in thwarting multiple smuggling operations, calling for enhancing Arab cooperation in combating smuggling, cyber security, and security training.

In this regard, he stressed the importance of activating Resolution No. (813) issued by the Council to support the Yemeni Ministry of Interior in facing the increasing security challenges.