US energy department engineer arrested for allegedly helping Iran-backed Houthis
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old US Energy Department engineer, was arrested for allegedly aiding Iran-backed Houthi rebels by purchasing materials for explosives and drones. He reportedly traveled to Yemen in September 2025 to assist the group with communications. Ellaboudy faces charges under US law prohibiting support to foreign terrorist organizations, with his court appearance scheduled for Friday.