Yemeni Government Accuses Houthis of Politicizing Humanitarian Work and a “Dangerous” Escalation Against Aid After “Espionage” Accusations
Yemen Monitor / Sana’a / Exclusive:
The Yemeni government today strongly condemned the espionage accusations leveled by the Houthi group’s leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, against UN employees, describing them as an “attempt to politicize humanitarian work” and exploit international aid to achieve “political and military gains.”
This comes as the number of arrested UN staff members has risen to more than 70 detainees, with 20 being arrested two days after the Houthi leader accused World Food Programme (WFP) staff of spying for Israel and the United States and being behind the assassination of the group’s government.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government affirmed that these claims are nothing more than a pretext for the “arbitrary measures” practiced by the group against international organizations. The statement pointed to a series of Houthi violations, including raiding offices, detaining local staff, confiscating equipment, and restricting the movement of humanitarian workers in the areas under their control.
The government considered this “hostile approach” a “dangerous escalation” that directly threatens the continuation of life-saving relief programs on which millions of Yemenis rely to secure their basic needs. The government also warned of the “consequences of continued international silence” regarding these violations that target humanitarian workers and undermine vital relief efforts in Yemen.
The accusations come in the context of escalating tension between the Houthis and the United Nations and international organizations, especially following previous reports of the group’s attempts to control beneficiary lists, in addition to its rejection of international accountability and auditing mechanisms.
