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US Energy Dept Employee Arrested for Aiding Houthis, Attempting to Supply Explosives
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News18•02-10-2026, 08:46
US Energy Dept Employee Arrested for Aiding Houthis, Attempting to Supply Explosives
- •Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old US Energy Department employee, was arrested for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthi militants.
- •Ellaboudy, from Richland, Washington, allegedly used his "specialized expertise" to aid the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
- •FBI scrutiny began after Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals, components for homemade explosives, and parts for drones and remotely operated aerial systems.
- •Ellaboudy traveled to Oman in September 2025 using an official passport, then crossed into Yemen towards Houthi-controlled Sanaa, despite not being authorized for government travel to the region.
- •He allegedly provided technical assistance, including helping test and modify solar generators and communications equipment, to a confidential FBI source posing as a Houthi contact; if convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Key Questions Answered
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old resident of Richland, Washington, was arrested by the FBI and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Houthi militants.
Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals and components used to make homemade explosives, along with parts for drones and remotely operated aerial systems.
If convicted of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, Ellaboudy faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
