The Houthi movement has claimed that its security forces have disrupted intelligence activities conducted by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel’s Mossad in Yemen. This revelation comes amidst an escalation in Houthi-launched UAVs and missile strikes against Israel, as Tel Aviv prepares for a possible fourth military operation against the group.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, which speaks for the internationally unrecognized government in Sana’a, reported that Yemeni security authorities had arrested several spies connected to a man named Hamid Hussein Fayed Majli. These operatives were reportedly involved in intelligence missions, such as identifying and tracking Yemeni missile sites, drone facilities, naval bases, and other military installations.
The report also detailed that the alleged espionage network had been tasked with pinpointing the locations of political, military, and security leaders, as well as key social figures in Yemen who are opposed to Israel and the United States. Among the targets was Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the group’s leader, along with other unspecified political and military figures.
According to Saba, the information collected by the cell was to be funneled to Majli, who would pass it on to Mossad for potential strikes. The Houthis hailed the arrests as a significant victory, claiming they had foiled extensive recruitment efforts by foreign intelligence agencies that have been ongoing since the beginning of their self-proclaimed "solidarity campaign with Gaza" about a year ago.
Majli is reportedly a native of Saada province, the heartland of the Houthi movement and the home of its leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. Saada has been a stronghold for the group since 2014 when they launched their campaign to capture Sana’a, ultimately toppling the internationally recognized government led by former President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Recent information suggests that Majli is currently serving as a trade attaché at the Yemeni embassy in Saudi Arabia. He is also the brother of Othman Majli, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and Parliament. The Majli family, known for its opposition to the Houthis, has deep roots in Saada, where their homes were reportedly destroyed by Houthi forces in retaliation for their anti-Houthi stance.
The Majli family has maintained strong ties with Saudi Arabia and has taken refuge there after being expelled from Saada by the Houthis, who also seized control of the capital, Sana’a.
The Houthis' recent allegations against the Majli family come as Israeli officials continue to emphasize the importance of targeting key Houthi leaders, particularly Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. He is believed to be residing in Saada, a location that has become a focal point in Israeli media as a possible target for military action in Tel Aviv’s broader strategy for managing its conflict with the Houthis.
