Hodeidah – Houthi authorities have reportedly detained a Yemeni port worker in Hodeidah after accusing him of belonging to an alleged espionage network, following his act of taking a selfie inside the port facility. 

The incident has sparked concern among rights advocates over the increasing criminalization of routine behavior in areas under Houthi control.

Local sources said the worker was apprehended earlier this week by Houthi security personnel, who claimed the photograph posed a threat to national security and was linked to foreign intelligence activity. 

The man’s phone was confiscated, and he was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

The Houthis have not issued an official statement regarding the arrest, but the incident aligns with a broader pattern of detentions targeting aid workers, civil servants, and civilians accused of espionage or collaboration with foreign entities. 

Recent reports indicate that dozens of individuals have been arrested in similar circumstances, often without due process or access to legal representation.

Human rights organizations have condemned the arrest, warning that such actions contribute to a climate of fear and repression in Houthi-held territories. 

“Labeling ordinary citizens as spies for taking photos is a dangerous escalation,” said one regional monitor. “It undermines basic freedoms and further isolates communities already suffering from conflict and economic hardship.”

The port of Hodeidah remains a critical lifeline for humanitarian aid and commercial imports into Yemen. The increasing securitization of the area has raised concerns about access, transparency, and the safety of workers operating in the facility.