Yemeni security services have uncovered a significant espionage network operated by US and Israeli intelligence agencies, active within Yemen since 2015, according to a report by Al Mayadeen on June 10.
Major General Abdul Hakim Hashem al-Khaiwani, head of Yemen’s Security and Intelligence Service, stated in a televised announcement that the exposed network had collected critical information across various sectors and conducted direct espionage operations for the enemy's intelligence services to obtain confidential, sovereign information.
The spy network was found to have gathered and transmitted critical data to hostile intelligence agencies, influencing decision-makers, infiltrating state agencies, sabotaging Yemen’s economy and agricultural sector, and recruiting officials within the Yemeni government. The network also provided military intelligence aimed at weakening the Yemeni army.
According to the SABA News Agency, a security official reported that recent arrests included individuals recruited to monitor Yemeni Armed Forces sites along the western coast. Al Mayadeen's correspondent indicated that the network might include dozens or even hundreds of members embedded in various ministries, institutions, and organizations.
Yemen is currently engaged in conflict with the US, UK, and Israel. Yemeni forces have attacked Israeli-linked commercial ships since November, in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, prompting retaliatory strikes from the US and UK on Yemeni naval and land targets.
In early June, Yemeni security forces detained over a dozen aid workers, including UN staff, in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. The Yemeni Mayyun Organization for Human Rights reported the detention of at least 18 Yemeni aid workers, including ten from UN agencies.
In May, SABA reported the arrest of individuals spying for the US and Israel, who had confessed to planning sabotage operations, including damaging and burning vehicles belonging to the armed and security forces. Sanaa has issued warnings to the US and UK against using mercenaries to destabilize Yemen and exert pressure to cease its support for Palestinians in Gaza.
