Aden — Yemen’s Interior Minister, Major General Ibrahim Haydan, revealed in a televised interview with Al Hadath that some of the Houthi-affiliated cells recently apprehended by security forces have direct ties to Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based extremist group. 

The statement marks a significant escalation in concerns over transnational militant cooperation in the region.

Speaking during the interview, Minister Haydan said, “Some of the Houthi cells we’ve dismantled were not operating alone—they were linked to Al-Shabaab networks, which poses a serious threat to Yemen’s internal security and regional stability.”

The minister did not disclose the exact number of individuals arrested but confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that intelligence reports point to shared logistical and operational coordination between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab. These findings align with recent international assessments warning of deepening ties between the two groups, particularly in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions.

Security analysts believe that the collaboration may include weapons transfers, training exchanges, and maritime intelligence sharing, especially as both groups seek to expand their influence and disrupt commercial and military navigation routes.

Minister Haydan emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation to counter these threats, calling on neighboring countries and global partners to support Yemen’s efforts in dismantling extremist networks and safeguarding maritime corridors.

The revelation comes amid broader concerns about the Houthis’ external alliances, with previous reports indicating links to Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias involved in drug trafficking and arms smuggling.

Yemen’s government has vowed to intensify counterterrorism operations and enhance border security to prevent further infiltration by foreign-backed militant groups. The Interior Ministry is expected to release a detailed report on the findings in the coming weeks.