Houthi Rebels in Yemen Detain Alleged Spies Linked to the U.S. and Israel
Houthi Militant Photo: EFE
December 25, 2024 Hour: 2:08 pm
Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Wednesday the detention of “several” Yemeni citizens accused of spying for the United States and Israel, providing information about military sites and missile and drone launch locations in the country.
Related:
Yemen Conducts Drone Operation Against Military Target in Israel
According to a statement broadcast by Al Masira television, the spokesperson for the Houthi movement, the group’s intelligence services have arrested several spies recruited by Hamid Al Mejalli, another Yemeni citizen who is also wanted.
The statement claims that Al Mejalli acts as “the link between the (alleged) detained spies and the intelligence services of the U.S. and Israel,” specifically the CIA and Mossad. According to the Houthis, Al Mejalli was recruited in 2008 by Saudi intelligence, which connected him with hostile agencies.
The activities attributed to the detainees included surveillance and identification of missile and drone launch forces’ locations, as well as other military sites and figures opposed to the “Israeli and American enemy.” They were also tasked with gathering information about experts, laboratories, missile platforms and launchers, camps, and weapon depots, as well as the location of Houthi leader Abdulmalik al Huthi and other political and military leaders.
Houthi security services have made similar announcements in recent months regarding the dismantling of “espionage networks,” although without providing verifiable evidence. This announcement coincides with increasing warnings from Israeli officials about a “strong” response to Houthi drone and missile attacks against Israel.
The latest attack occurred today against a “military target” in Tel Aviv, according to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, who reiterated that operations against the Israeli enemy will continue until aggression in Gaza is halted.
