The Yemeni government announced on Saturday the successful dismantling of one of the most dangerous terrorist cells operating in the city of Taiz, with confirmed links to the Houthi militia, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS, according to a statement by the country’s Supreme Security Committee.

The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, and resulted in the arrest of several individuals involved in assassinations, bombings, and espionage targeting military, civilian, and humanitarian figures in liberated provinces.

Among those apprehended were suspects directly involved in the 2023 assassination of Moayad Hamidi, head of the World Food Programme office in Taiz, as well as individuals implicated in the 2021 car bombing targeting Aden Governor Ahmed Lamlas, which killed several of his bodyguards.

Security forces also uncovered a bomb-making workshop in the Al-Shamayatayn district of Taiz, where explosive devices, car bomb components, and surveillance equipment were seized. Investigations revealed that the cell had been coordinating with senior Houthi leaders, including former military commander Amjad Khaled, who is accused of facilitating communication between the Houthis and extremist groups.

The committee praised the efforts of local authorities, military units, and citizens in Taiz for their cooperation and vigilance, describing the operation as a major blow to terrorist networks seeking to destabilize Yemen’s liberated areas.

Officials confirmed that Yemen will coordinate with Interpol and international partners to pursue fugitives and bring them to justice, while also strengthening counterterrorism efforts and public awareness campaigns to combat extremist ideologies.