Yemen – Ibrahim Haidan, the Minister of Interior in the legitimate Yemeni government, revealed that Iran has shifted its drug and weapons smuggling activities to Yemen after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. This came during an interview with Al-Hadath TV. Haidan explained that these activities aim to expand smuggling networks and destabilize the region.
drug smuggling networks
Haidan pointed out that a number of the Syrians arrested in Yemen were drug-manufacturing experts and had entered the country disguised as tourists.
The minister revealed that Yemeni authorities have managed to seize numerous activities linked to these networks, as part of the fight against drug smuggling and mitigating its negative impact on society.
In a related development, Haidan announced the seizure of an Iranian Captagon factory in Yemen. He said that Yemeni security forces arrested two Syrian and a Lebanese citizen linked to the factory. He believed the goal of these activities was to expand smuggling networks and destabilize the region.
Houthi connections
Haidan also spoke about the role of the Houthis, who are considered part of the Iranian-backed groups, in facilitating these activities. He emphasized that the security situation in Yemen has deteriorated as a result of the Houthi coup, which has led to a security vacuum in many areas.
Houthi relations with terrorist groups
The Yemeni Interior Minister also indicated that some of the Houthi elements detained in Yemen have links to the Somali al-Shabaab movement. This information highlights the close ties between the Houthis and terrorist groups in the region, further complicating the security situation in Yemen.
The political situation of the Houthis
It’s worth noting that the Houthis have controlled Sana’a since 2014. However, the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union do not recognize the government run by the group. Meanwhile, the international community continues to exert pressure on the Houthis as it seeks a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Yemen.
In conclusion, Haidan expressed concern about the continuation of terrorist activities in the region, noting that the United States and Israel have designated the Houthis as terrorist groups due to their ties to Iran.
