Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council on Tuesday ordered urgent legal action against anyone suspected of collaborating with or financing the Houthi group, warning that penalties for some state security offenses could extend to death.

In a statement carried by the official SABA news agency, the council said assisting the Houthis, facilitating their operations or supplying information and resources that enable attacks on the state, civilians or security forces were acts subject to prosecution under existing laws.

“National legislation provides strict penalties, including the death penalty for some offenses involving threats to state security and independence, weakening the armed forces, disclosing defense secrets, aiding the enemy and communicating with a hostile state supporting a terrorist militia,” it said.

It warned against using official, military or security positions, influence or resources to assist the Houthis or undermine national defense. “Position, office or influence does not exempt anyone from accountability,” said the council.

The statement urged citizens and state employees to report suspected offenses immediately through official channels. It instructed authorities to facilitate reporting and protect whistleblowers, witnesses and the confidentiality of their information within the law.

The council also ordered heightened vigilance and coordination to protect vital facilities, military sites, sensitive information and defense secrets, and counter attempts to infiltrate state institutions.

The announcement came as part of a military escalation that began in July, the most extensive since the relative calm that followed a UN-brokered truce that began in April 2022.

Yemen has been engulfed in war since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and several of the country’s 22 provinces in September 2014, prompting an Arab coalition led by neighboring Saudi Arabia to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.