Yemen’s Houthis ban mobile phones for leaders

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have banned their leaders from carrying mobile phones and urged civilians not to share information about US airstrikes, Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported on Monday, as the group faces increased attacks on its positions.

The group, which US President Donald Trump returned to the list of terrorist organizations this year following its blockade of shipping in the Red Sea, has been under sustained US airstrikes in recent days.

The Houthis issued a new directive to residents in areas under their control, forbidding them from disseminating any details about the strikes or casualties, according to sources speaking to Al-Hadath.

Security sources in Sanaa revealed that Houthi leaders and their escorts have been barred from carrying mobile phones or using them for any communication.

Sources in the coastal city of Hodeidah reported that Houthi commanders at all levels have disappeared, changed their phone numbers, and become unreachable to those who previously worked with them.

Hashim Ahmed Sharaf al-Din, the Houthis’ de facto information minister, called on the public to refrain from sharing names, photos, or any information about Houthi casualties, and to instead focus on the oppression of the Yemeni people and the group's resilience.

The crackdown comes amid increasing US airstrikes targeting their sites, weapons depots, military barracks, and secret military bases established in Saada, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, and Hodeidah, used to store missiles, drones, and launch platforms.

The US operation follows persistent Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, which the group frames as a response to the Israeli war in Gaza.

The Houthis have also resumed missile attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza resumed, Israeli vowing tough military action to force Iran's allies, Hamas, to return the dozens of hostages remaining in the strip.

The Houthi communication crackdown comes as fears grow that its leadership may become the next targets of Israeli or US assassinations.

Last year, targeted airstrikes saw swathes of Hezbollah's leaders killed in Lebanon, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Iran's biggest ally suffered further setbacks when in September, Israel carried out "Operation Grim Beeper," targeting Hezbollah's communication devices in Lebanon and Syria.

Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded simultaneously, resulting in significant casualties and injuries, including civilians.

The attacks, which targeted pagers and walkie-talkies, were described as Hezbollah's biggest security breach since the start of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in October 2023.