Houthis Sentence 17 To Death For Alleged Spying For Israel, US And Saudi Arabia

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – A court controlled by Yemen’s Houthi movement has sentenced 17 people to death for allegedly spying for Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, the latest step in a years-long crackdown on local staff and residents accused of collaborating with foreign governments.

The verdict was issued on Saturday by the Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa, according to the Houthi-run SABA news agency.

The court claimed the defendants were part of “espionage cells within a spy network affiliated with the American, Israeli, and Saudi intelligence” services and ordered their public execution by firing squad.

Another man and a woman were sentenced to 10 years in prison, while one defendant was acquitted.

ISRAEL ELEMENT ADDS TENSION

The naming of Israel alongside the U.S. and Saudi intelligence services was due to add to regional tensions, as the Houthis say they act to protest military actions by Israel in Gaza.

The Houthis movement has previously claimed to have arrested “American-Israeli spy cells” and launched missiles and drones toward Israel and the Red Sea in recent months, moves that have heightened regional security concerns.

Analysts say the verdict may be used internally by the Houthis to project strength and justify further crackdowns in areas under their control.

For Israel, the accusations create another area of concern — not only maritime and missile threats, but also a claimed intelligence front in Yemen, which Israeli authorities have not publicly addressed.

RISKS FOR AID AGENCIES

International agencies operating in Houthi-controlled areas have long warned of increased scrutiny, detentions, and accusations of espionage, especially as the rebels continue to conflate humanitarian work with intelligence activity.

Human-rights groups have raised concerns over due-process violations in Houthi-run courts, where trials are often closed and sentences are handed down rapidly with little transparency.

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