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Sunday, October 26, 2025
Yemen’s Houthis arrest three UN staffers over Israel spying accusation
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Yemen’s Houthis arrested three local United Nations staff, accusing them of spying for Israel, a security source from the rebel group tells AFP.
“Two women working for the World Food Programme were taken from their homes on Saturday” in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, the source says, 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 adds.
They are the latest in a wave of arrests targeting UN and other nonprofit organization 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.
The United Nations on Friday 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 war against Hamas in Gaza 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.
The Times of Israel Community.