Houthis sentence 17 to death over alleged Israeli-linked espionage

Houthi-appointed judges in Yemen have sentenced 17 people to death by firing squad after convicting them of spying for Israel and its western allies, in a case framed by the authorities as a major blow against foreign intelligence operations inside the country.

The Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa said the group belonged to “espionage cells within a spy network affiliated with American, Israeli, and Saudi intelligence”, according to Houthi-run media, which reported the executions will be carried out in public “as a deterrent”.

A further two people received 10-year prison sentences, while one defendant was acquitted, bringing the total number tried in the case to 20. Prosecutors accused the group of working for “foreign countries hostile to Yemen”, including the UK, and of providing information that allegedly led to attacks on military, security and civilian sites, resulting in deaths and widespread damage.

Houthi outlets claimed Israel’s Mossad “directed” intelligence officers who maintained contact with the accused, describing the case as part of a wider covert campaign against Yemen at the height of the regional escalation linked to Gaza.

The backdrop is a war-torn country where the Houthis have clashed repeatedly with Israel and western powers. The United States and the UK carried out dozens of joint air strikes across Yemen after October 2023, following Houthi attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, actions the group said were meant to support Palestinians. Although those attacks have paused since the Gaza ceasefire, Israel has continued air raids on Yemeni infrastructure, including fuel depots, power stations and ports vital for humanitarian aid.

In August, the Houthis said an Israeli strike killed their prime minister in Sanaa, Ahmed al-Rahawi, along with several other ministers.

Over the past year, Houthi authorities have also intensified raids on UN and NGO offices, arresting staff and seizing equipment, moves widely condemned by international organisations but defended by the Houthis as necessary to block Israeli influence.