Yemen rebels arrest three UN staff over Israel spying accusation: security source

SANAA - Yemen’s Houthis arrested three local United Nations staff, including two women, accusing them of spying for Israel, a security source from the rebel group told AFP on Oct 26.

“Two women working for the World Food Programme (WFP) were taken from their homes on Saturday” in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, the source said, adding that a Yemeni man also working for the WFP was arrested that night.

“Security and intelligence services in Sanaa still have a list of people wanted for collaborating with the Israeli and American enemy,” the source added.

They are the latest in a

wave of arrests targeting UN and other non-governmental organisation workers

, with seven other local UN staffers arrested earlier this week on accusations of colluding with Israel.

Last week, the rebels

raided the UN compound

in Sanaa, holding 20 staffers, including 15 foreigners, inside before they were released shortly afterwards.

Twelve of the 15 international staffers left the country on Oct 22.

The UN on Oct 24 said that the Houthis had arrested 55 of its personnel since 2021.

Rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi has claimed that UN agencies, including the WFP and Unicef, have participated in “aggressive espionage”.

He accused some of them of playing a role in Israeli strikes that targeted a cabinet meeting in August, killing the rebel prime minister.

Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, Yemen’s Houthis have repeatedly

targeted both Israel and Red Sea shipping routes

in a campaign they say is in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Israel has responded with heavy strikes on rebel-held areas of Yemen. AFP