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Sanaa Court Sentences 17 to Death by Firing Squad in Alleged Spy Network for Israel and Western States

The Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa has sentenced 17 men to death by firing squad after convicting them of operating an alleged spy network for Israel and other Western states. Two other defendants received 10-year prison terms and one was acquitted, with 20 people tried in total. Houthi authorities say the accused provided information that led to lethal strikes; the case unfolds amid broader US–UK strikes, Houthi attacks on shipping, and Israeli strikes in Yemen.

01:53 PM, 11/23/2025Conflict
Sanaa Court Sentences 17 to Death by Firing Squad in Alleged Spy Network for Israel and Western States

The Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa has sentenced 17 men to death by firing squad after convicting them of membership in what Houthi authorities described as an "espionage network" allegedly working for Israel and other Western states. Two other defendants received 10-year prison terms and one was acquitted, bringing the total tried in the case to 20.

Details of the case

Houthi-run media reported that state prosecutors brought charges in 2024 and 2025 alleging links to American, Israeli and Saudi intelligence and naming the United Kingdom among the alleged foreign actors. Authorities claimed that contacts directed by Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, provided information that led to strikes on military, security and civilian sites, causing dozens of deaths and widespread damage. The court ordered the executions to be carried out "in a public place as a deterrent," according to the announcements; the defendants may pursue appeals under the legal process described by local authorities.

Wider context

The ruling comes amid an extended period of regional and international hostilities. After the outbreak of heavy fighting in Gaza in October 2023, there were multiple US–UK air strikes in Yemen and retaliatory Houthi attacks on Israeli territory and international shipping in the Red Sea. Houthi officials say they paused their maritime attacks following a recent Gaza ceasefire agreement.

At the same time, Yemen has been hit by a series of air strikes that Houthi authorities attribute to Israel; Houthi statements in August said an Israeli strike killed the prime minister of their Sanaa-based administration, Ahmed al-Rahawi, along with other ministers.

Impact on humanitarian and international actors

Houthi authorities control Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen after taking power more than a decade ago. Over the past year they have stepped up raids on offices of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, detaining dozens of mostly local staff and seizing equipment. International bodies have condemned these actions and called for the release of detained personnel; Houthi officials say the measures are intended to prevent foreign intelligence operations.

Independent verification of some of the claims made by all parties remains limited. International reactions to the sentences and to broader security operations in Yemen are continuing to develop.

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