October 15, 2026
The Yemeni Ministry of Communications and Information Technology warned of the repercussions of using civilian communications networks and services in military and security operations, accusing the Houthi group of employing the sector’s infrastructure to operate drones and projectiles, and carry out surveillance, espionage, and information gathering operations.
The Ministry explained, in a statement published by the Yemeni Minister of Information, Muammar Al-Eryani, on the “X” platform today, Wednesday, that transforming the communications sector from a national service facility into a military support tool exposes the lives of citizens, facilities, and infrastructure to serious risks, noting that civilian networks have also been used to spread false news, rumors, and misleading information.
The Ministry condemned the interruption of Internet and communications services in Taiz Governorate, considering this step to be part of the practices targeting civilians, and warning against exploiting the interruption to cover up violations and deprive citizens of their basic right to communicate and obtain services. It held the Houthis fully responsible for involving the communications sector in the conflict, stressing that using civilian facilities for military purposes and exposing them to the risk of being targeted is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
At the field and professional levels, the Ministry called on citizens in Houthi-controlled areas to be cautious of the dangers of surveillance and espionage through networks run by the group. It also called on engineers, technicians and workers in the communications sector in the kidnapped capital, Sanaa, to reject any directives to harness civilian networks for military or espionage purposes, and to work to protect facilities and equipment to ensure the continued provision of services, pointing out that the government seeks to provide safe and independent alternatives for communications and the Internet in the liberated areas.
At the conclusion of its statement, the Ministry of Communications called on the international community, the United Nations, and the International Telecommunication Union to take a firm stance and put pressure to stop the use of civilian infrastructure in military operations.
This government position comes as an extension of directives issued by the Presidential Command Council, yesterday, Tuesday, obliging the security and military services to take urgent measures to prosecute those involved in spying with the Houthis or financing their activities, warning that the legal penalties for state security crimes, divulging defense secrets, and aiding the enemy may reach death penalty.
