FBI arrests Department of Energy employee accused of helping Yemen’s Houthis

U.S. authorities on Thursday arrested a Department of Energy employee accused of attempting to provide material support to Yemen’s Houthis, a U.S.-designated terrorist organisation backed by Iran. The announcement was made by the Department of Justice, as Al Jazeera reports in its live blog on the war with Iran.

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, was arrested on Thursday morning and is charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis. He is due to appear before a federal judge on October 2 at 11:00 a.m. in Richland.

“As alleged, a U.S. government employee travelled abroad and used his specialised expertise in an attempt to help the Houthis, an Iran-backed Foreign Terrorist Organization,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. According to the Department of Justice, Ellaboudy bought materials for building explosives and drones capable of carrying payloads, and contacted a confidential FBI source posing as an associate of a Houthi “colonel” to obtain communications equipment and drone components.

The investigation found that Ellaboudy also bought parts used to build drones and explosive materials, offering expert advice on building and using drones. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The statements come at a tense moment, as the U.S. steps up pressure on Iran and its regional allies, including the Houthis, who have repeatedly attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb during the war.