# Houthi intelligence activity in southern Yemen

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-intelligence-activity-in-southern-yemen
> Updated: 2026-08-22T22:16:01.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Following the June 2026 killing of journalist Mohamed Aida in Mukalla, Hadhramaut, security forces arrested two primary perpetrators and several accomplices. Investigations linked the car bombing to a cell operating on behalf of the Houthi movement, and the case was transferred to a specialized criminal court.

In the wake of these developments, security tensions have escalated in southern Yemen. Khattab Baras, head of the Southern National Youth Council, announced the imminent arrest of Abdulrahman Khalaf, an individual accused of managing Houthi intelligence networks within liberated provinces. Baras alleged that Khalaf led secret cells focused on recruitment and polarization, using political narratives to influence local citizens.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-22: Southern Yemen leader warns of imminent arrest of Houthi intelligence operative

Southern Yemen leader Khattab Baras announced the imminent arrest of Abdulrahman Khalaf for allegedly managing Houthi intelligence cells in liberated provinces.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-yemen-leader-warns-of-imminent-arrest-of-houthi-intelligence-operative

### 2026-08-01: Hadhramaut forces capture suspects in journalist Mohamed Aida killing

Yemen’s Hadhramaut security forces arrested two main suspects and several accomplices in the June 2026 killing of journalist Mohamed Aida, linking the attack to Houthi rebels and forwarding the case to Mukalla

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yemens-hadhramaut-coast-police-kill-deathsentence-drug-trafficker-officer-dies

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Cite as: Houthi intelligence activity in southern Yemen. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-intelligence-activity-in-southern-yemen