On Saturday, November 22, 2025, a Houthi-run court in Sanaa handed 18 Yemeni aid workers employed by United Nations agencies death sentences over alleged spying for Israel. Two others, including a woman, received 10-year prison terms.
The court accused the aid workers of sharing details on Houthi leaders’ locations, missile sites, and security secrets with Israel, the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia. Prosecutors said this intel led to attacks on military, security, and civilian targets, causing dozens of deaths and major infrastructure damage.
This verdict follows a series of Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa in August that killed dozens of Houthi officials, including 12 ministers and military chief Mohammed Abdulkarim al-Ghamari. In retaliation, Houthi forces stormed several UN offices in Sanaa and detained dozens of aid workers.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the sentences, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all aid workers. He warned that blocking humanitarian relief puts millions of Yemenis at risk of famine 🙏.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks toward Israel to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel has responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled sites and cities, causing further casualties and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
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Houthi court sentences Yemeni UN workers to death over alleged spying
cgtn.com
