Sanaa — Houthis in Yemen have announced the arrest of what they allege is a spy network operating under a joint intelligence command involving the United States’ CIA, Israel’s Mossad, and Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Directorate.

In a statement issued by the Houthi-run Ministry of Interior, the group claimed the cell had been trained in Saudi Arabia and was equipped with advanced surveillance tools, encrypted communication systems, and tracking technologies. 

The alleged operatives were reportedly tasked with monitoring strategic sites across Yemen, including missile and drone launch zones, military bases, and locations tied to recent Houthi operations targeting Israel.

The Houthis framed the arrests as a “major security breakthrough,” asserting that the network had been active for years and had used humanitarian organizations and diplomatic cover to conduct espionage activities. 

The announcement follows a broader crackdown on aid workers and non-governmental organizations, including the detention of several UN staff members earlier this year.

International observers have yet to verify the claims, and no official response has been issued by the governments of the United States, Israel, or Saudi Arabia. 

Human rights groups have raised concerns over the lack of transparency and due process in the detentions, warning of potential abuses and politically motivated accusations.

The situation underscores growing tensions in Yemen and the region, where intelligence operations, proxy conflicts, and maritime security threats continue to escalate.