The Yemeni Interior Ministry accused on Friday Houthi militias of “direct coordination” with al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorists to carry out sabotage attacks in areas falling under the control of the legitimate government.

“We have information confirming the coordination between the rebels, ISIS and Qaeda with an aim of executing terrorist attacks against the government,” Interior Ministry official Maj. Gen. Mohammed Salem bin Aboud al-Sharif told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The General described the coordination as “strong and accurate” aiming to undermine the stability and security of the country.

Bin Aboud said the ministry was able to uncover the presence of Qaeda and ISIS cells that were planning to target Yemeni figures and place explosives in public places, after it carried out investigations with detained terrorists, who were later referred to the Judiciary.

The official revealed that the suspects are Yemenis and have links with Houthi fighters, who trained them and deployed them in the liberated areas to undermine Yemen’s stability by executing criminal attacks against figures and vital sites.

Bin Aboud said information collected by the ministry’s apparatuses shows that Houthis are coordinating with Qaeda and ISIS terrorists in several governorates by financing terrorist activities and transferring money through exchange firms using fake names.

Asked about smuggling operations, the official said: “Smuggling continues and it is increasing in areas controlled by Houthis, which runs the three principle ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa,” he said.