Yemen investigates international call smuggling causing millions in losses

The Yemeni Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology has launched an official investigation into organized international call smuggling. Minister Shadi Saleh Basra issued Ministerial Decree No. 26 of 2026, establishing a high-level joint investigation committee to address the illegal routing of international calls through unauthorized channels.

The investigation follows technical reports from the global company Ocean, which identified illicit operations bypassing the state’s international gateway. These activities are estimated to cause annual losses to the public treasury ranging between $3 million and $5 million.

The nine-member committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Public Telecommunications Corporation, the Ministry of Interior, state security agencies, and the Central Organization for Control and Auditing. The committee is tasked with tracing illegal routes, examining technical and financial documents, and identifying legal and administrative responsibilities. The committee has been granted the authority to consult experts and summon relevant parties, with a mandate to submit its findings within one month.