Media Reports: U.S. National Security Advisor and Deputy Resign After ‘Leak of Houthi Strike Plan’ Scandal
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has resigned following a scandal involving the leak of classified information about potential military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen via an encrypted messaging app.
Media reports, including CBS News, indicated that Alex Wong, Waltz’s deputy, will also leave his position, while Fox News suggested that the U.S. President is about to officially announce the decision.
The crisis dates back to late March, when it was revealed that classified information about potential military operations against the Houthis in Yemen was mistakenly shared with a journalist through a secret chat group on the “Signal” app, which included a number of senior U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Waltz had created the group and added the journalist, mistaking him for someone else, leading to the leak of sensitive conversations. The U.S. advisor acknowledged full responsibility for the incident, saying in a statement to Fox News: “I take full responsibility… I created this group,” noting that he may have saved the journalist’s number by mistake.
Waltz’s decision to resign comes after increasing pressure within the U.S. administration, amid concerns about the repercussions of the security breach on the country’s strategy in Yemen and the region.
The White House has not yet issued an official comment on the expected replacement for the position.
