Iran and the Houthis are turning Yemen into a new hub for drug production and trafficking, a key funding source, says the Minister of Information.

Iran and Houthi Militias Transform Yemen into a Drug Manufacturing Hub

Minister’s Statement on Drug Production

Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, recently revealed alarming information regarding Iran’s involvement in drug production in Yemen. He stated that Iranian authorities, with the assistance of Houthi militias, have established a factory for producing Captagon pills in Al-Mahwit Governorate. This development marks a new chapter in Iran’s ongoing strategy to use drugs as a means of financing terrorism in the region.

Impact of the Syrian Conflict

Al-Eryani emphasized that this initiative follows the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which previously served as a primary route for Captagon trafficking into Gulf countries. The minister noted that the Houthis are now attempting to turn Yemen into a new launch point for drug manufacturing and smuggling towards Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. This shift comes after the destruction of a Captagon factory in Douma, near Damascus, and employs similar criminal tactics aimed at undermining regional security.

Exploitation of Civilian Sectors

The minister pointed out that the Houthi militias continue to exploit civilian sectors in areas under their control. They have reportedly converted parts of pharmaceutical factories in the capital, Sana’a, into facilities for Captagon production. This dual crime not only violates the resources of the Yemeni people but also serves as a funding mechanism for their terrorist activities.

Recent Drug Seizures

Al-Eryani highlighted recent successes by Yemeni security forces, who seized large quantities of drugs that Houthi smuggling networks attempted to transport into Saudi Arabia. This achievement underscores the Yemeni state’s capability to confront Iran’s destructive campaign against the Yemeni people and neighboring countries.

International Awareness Needed

The minister urged the international community to recognize that the threat posed by the Houthis extends beyond missiles and drones. He warned that their activities now include attempts to undermine Gulf and Arab societies through drug trafficking. Al-Eryani stressed that ignoring these criminal activities would only encourage the Houthis to further establish Yemen as a center for drug production and smuggling, jeopardizing regional stability.

Call for International Action

In conclusion, Al-Eryani called for a decisive international stance to combat these threats and cut off funding sources for the Houthis and Iran’s destabilizing agenda in the region. He urged support for the legitimate Yemeni government in its efforts to regain control over all Yemeni territories and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

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