Aden (South24 Center)

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Security Belt Forces in South Yemen have announced the dismantling of two cells affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Abyan governorate. 

#BREAKING
Security Belt in Abyan: We dismantled two cells working for Houthi militias and apprehended leaders linked to external funding#south24 pic.twitter.com/k8hP9f1hTm

— South24 | English (@South24E) October 22, 2025

The operation followed a period of surveillance and investigation that uncovered the cells’ involvement in recruitment, financing, and media incitement activities aimed at destabilizing the South.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 22, the first cell, led by two individuals from Abyan, was engaged in recruiting young men and sending them to Al-Bayda governorate to undergo military training and ideological indoctrination by Houthi operatives.

These recruits reportedly receive monthly financial payments.

The activities were carried out under the guise of a local cause, used as a humanitarian front to exploit impoverished individuals for recruitment purposes.

The second cell, the statement added, was headed by the leader of a political group in Abyan. It was responsible for conducting media campaigns and organizing demonstrations funded by Sanaa and a foreign entity, targeting the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and its security forces.

Investigations revealed direct coordination between the two cells and senior Houthi figures in Sanaa, including Hussein Al-Janidi, who was appointed by the Houthis as governor of Abyan. The cells also managed a network of deceptive online accounts in collaboration with pro-Houthi media operatives.

The detained individuals have been referred to the Public Prosecution office, while pursuit operations remain ongoing against other suspects.

In recent months, Southern security forces have dismantled several Houthi-linked cells in Aden, Al-Dhalea, Lahj, and Hadramout. Some members of these cells have faced legal prosecution and received judicial sentences.