Sanaa: A Houthi-controlled court in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, has sentenced 18 Yemeni aid workers employed by United Nations humanitarian agencies to death for allegedly spying for Israel. The court ruled that the convicts will be executed by firing squad in a public place in Sanaa. Two others, including a woman, received 10-year prison sentences on the same charges.
According to a statement broadcast by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the court accused the sentenced individuals of providing intelligence on the locations, movements, and confidential political, military, and security matters concerning dozens of Houthi leaders. They were also accused of sharing information on missile sites, including launch sites and storage facilities, with Israel, the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia.
The court further alleged that the convicts recruited local citizens, installed surveillance cameras, and received payments in exchange, actions that reportedly led to attacks on multiple military, security, and civilian sites, resulting in dozens of deaths and significant infrastructure damage Xinhua news agency reported.
In August, Israeli airstrikes targeted Sanaa in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks towards Israel, killing dozens of Houthi officials, including 12 ministers and Mohammed Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, the chief of staff of Houthi military forces. Following this, Houthis stormed various UN agency offices and detained numerous Yemeni aid workers, including those recently sentenced.
Footage aired last week on al-Masirah TV showed the convicted aid workers delivering what Houthis claimed were confessions.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the Houthis, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all UN aid workers. He warned that obstruction of humanitarian aid in Yemen risks famine for millions.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel to show support for Palestinians amid the Israeli war on Gaza. Israel has responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled sites, causing casualties.
(Inputs from IANS)