Americans' 'weakness' proven in remarks on busted US-Israeli spy network: Houthi

A senior Yemeni official has censured recent Western remarks regarding the busting of a US-Israeli espionage network in the country as "evidence of weakness and [moral] bankruptcy."

"The statement of America and several other countries regarding the espionage network is evidence of weakness and [moral] bankruptcy," Mohammad Ali Al-Houthi, member of the Supreme Political Council, told Yemeni Al-Masirah TV channel on Monday. 

Last week, the Yemeni military announced it had busted an American-Israeli espionage network linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

Al-Masirah reported the spy network had operated from the American embassy until it closed in 2015. After which "the elements of the espionage network continued to implement the same sabotage agenda under the cover of international organizations."

The senior Yemeni political figure asserted that neither the Americans, Israelis, nor any of the others that condemned the dismantling of the US-Israeli espionage network had the right to do so, noting that the spies operated under the guise of humanitarian workers.

"America uses humanitarian work as a cover for spying, and countries involved in the statement are unable to allow the activities carried out by the [espionage] network in their countries," he emphasized.

Houthi said the Yemenis had gathered "conclusive evidence that proves the crimes of the American espionage network and are ready to hand them over to a third party that refuses to violate the sovereignty of countries with such espionage acts."

The United States said it "strongly condemns" the dismantling of the US-Israeli espionage network which resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen United Nations workers.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Wednesday dismissed the espionage charges leveled against the Americans, claiming the Yemenis "are seeking to use disinformation to shift blame to the United States and other outside actors for their own failures."

"These Houthi actions reflect a blatant disregard for the dignity of the Yemeni people and individuals who ... have dedicated themselves to their country's betterment."

The United Nations said it is working to secure the immediate release of its detained personnel, with its secretary-general, Antonio Guterres condemning the arrests.

"I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN personnel," Guterres said on Tuesday.

The United Nations said the detained UN employees include six workers from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, two from UNESCO, and one each from the UN Development Program, UN Children's Fund, the World Food Program, World Health Organization and the Office of the Special Envoy.

The United Nations noted at least 11 civil society workers were also arrested, adding that four more UN staff members had been arrested between 2021 and 2023.

The President of the Revolutionary Committee in Yemen criticized the United Nations for not carefully vetting and screening its personnel while enforcing proper supervision over its agencies. "We do not have a position from the staff of the UN organizations, but we condemn America in employing its spies under this curtain."

Houthi called on the United Nations and its organizations to provide an answer to these unexplained actions that do not reflect the UN officials' adherence to their charters.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni military has recently escalated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean, demanding an end to the Israeli genocidal war on the Palestinian people trapped in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in at least 37,337 deaths, mostly women and children, since October last year.

The US and its allies deployed ships to the Red Sea to protect Israeli vessels and initiated extensive bombing attacks against Yemeni forces, targeting what remained of the impoverished country's bases, infrastructure, and installation.

Yemeni forces announced last month that despite the US-led attacks against the Arab country they would continue their military operations, expanding them to the Mediterranean Sea to exert further pressure on Tel Aviv to end its brutal atrocities in Gaza.

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