Yemeni Political Leader Condemns U.S. and Israeli Espionage Network: Calls for International Accountability

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, has sharply criticized the United States for including multiple countries in its statement regarding the dismantling of a U.S.-Israeli espionage network. Al-Houthi described this as a sign of weakness and desperation, likening it to the U.S.’s attempts to mask its crimes in Yemen under the guise of “Operation Guardian of Prosperity” after failing to justify its actions to the world.

In a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Al-Houthi asserted that the U.S. and its allies in the statement would never allow similar espionage activities to be conducted in their own countries. He highlighted that American and UN statements confirm the security agencies’ revelations that humanitarian and relief work has been used as a cover for espionage activities.

Al-Houthi pointed to the training and continuous development that CIA spies underwent, emphasizing their involvement in espionage activities. He questioned the relevance of security and intelligence training to the routine work of local embassy employees, suggesting that these activities overstep diplomatic norms.

He also highlighted the use of encrypted and secretive communication methods between spies and their American intelligence handlers as further evidence of diplomatic violations. Additionally, Al-Houthi mentioned commendations from the CIA to the spies, underscoring the significant and detrimental role they played in compromising Yemen’s national security.

He added that the confessions of the U.S.-Israeli spy network detailed crimes and incidents that have occurred and are well-known to the Yemeni people, with reports submitted to American intelligence officers now held by various state agencies. Al-Houthi praised Yemen’s security agencies for uncovering these operations and exposing those responsible.

Al-Houthi called on Washington to cease exploiting employees by recruiting them under the pretense of humanitarian and diplomatic work. He urged the United Nations and its organizations to explain these actions, which he said had been repeatedly flagged with evidence, as they reflect a disregard for their declared charters and work regulations, constituting another unjustifiable crime.

He concluded by stating that the revelations by Yemen’s security agencies illustrate the true nature of U.S. and Israeli activities, reaffirming that all countries condemn such actions that have no connection to humanitarian work.

On June 10, Yemeni security agencies in the capital, Sana’a, uncovered a large U.S.-Israeli espionage network operating across various institutions since 2015. The network reportedly provided American and Israeli intelligence with military information aimed at weakening the Yemeni army and its capabilities.