Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Monday the arrest of members of an "American-Israeli spy network," just days after detaining at least 11 United Nations staffers and additional aid workers.
Maj. Gen. Abdulhakim al-Khayewani, head of the Houthis' intelligence agency, disclosed the arrests, claiming the spy network initially operated from the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa. Following the embassy's closure in 2015 due to the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and northern Yemen, al-Khayewani asserted the network continued its activities under the guise of international and UN organizations.
While the exact number of those arrested was not disclosed, Houthi authorities released videos purporting to show confessions from 10 Yemenis, allegedly recruited by the U.S. Embassy. These videos did not include any of the UN employees recently detained. The Houthis' claims remain unverified by independent sources.
Arrest of UN Staffers
The United Nations announced on Friday that 11 Yemeni staffers had been detained. Among them, six were from the UN's human rights agency, with others working for its special envoy's office, its development program, UNICEF, the World Food Program, and UNESCO. Additional aid organizations also reported employees being detained, though the total number remains uncertain.
Context and Implications
The detentions occur amidst ongoing conflict, with the Houthis combating a Saudi-led coalition since their 2015 takeover of northern Yemen. Recently, the Houthis have targeted shipping in the Red Sea corridor in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Domestically, the Houthi administration is under financial strain and has intensified crackdowns on dissent, including sentencing 44 people to death.
Al-Khayewani accused the alleged spy network of decades-long efforts to sabotage Yemen's economy, agriculture, health system, and other sectors. The ongoing war has resulted in over 150,000 deaths, including both combatants and civilians, and has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Houthis' actions, including attacks on shipping, have diverted attention from internal issues and the protracted conflict. However, they have suffered significant casualties and damage from U.S.-led airstrikes in recent months.
Financial Struggles and Broader Impact
The Houthi-led regions face severe economic challenges, with difficulties maintaining sufficient currency to support local economies. Yemen's exiled government in Aden has demanded all banks relocate their headquarters there to stabilize the currency and regain economic control.
The motivations behind the latest detentions remain unclear. However, the arrests align with the Houthis' broader pattern of targeting perceived threats amid mounting internal and external pressures. Former employees of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa have also been detained by the Houthis since its closure in 2015.
