Sana’a — Houthi security forces have detained the Secretary-General of the General People’s Congress (GPC) party along with 11 senior party leaders in Sana’a, in a sweeping crackdown that has sparked political outrage and heightened tensions within Houthi-controlled territories.

The arrests reportedly took place during a scheduled leadership meeting at the Al-Mithaq Institute, where GPC officials had gathered to prepare for the party’s anniversary celebrations. Armed Houthi personnel stormed the venue, disrupted the proceedings, and ordered attendees to disperse, warning against holding political gatherings without prior coordination.

According to sources cited by Yemen Monitor, the Houthis later detained the GPC Secretary-General and 11 other senior figures, accusing them of unauthorized political activity and incitement. The group has not issued an official statement regarding the arrests.

This escalation follows a series of moves by Houthi-controlled institutions targeting GPC figures, including a recent military court ruling sentencing Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh—former commander of the Republican Guard and son of late President Ali Abdullah Saleh—to death in absentia.

The latest crackdown is seen as part of a broader Houthi effort to consolidate control and suppress dissent ahead of politically sensitive anniversaries and public commemorations.