Saada — The Houthi-run government in northern Yemen has leveled serious accusations against six United Nations staff members, claiming they were involved in an intelligence operation that facilitated an attempted targeting of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

According to statements from Houthi officials, the employees—affiliated with UN humanitarian agencies including the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF—allegedly transmitted sensitive geographic coordinates that were later linked to an Israeli airstrike. The strike, which occurred in late August, reportedly killed Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi and nine other senior officials.

Abdulwahid Abu Ras, Yemen’s acting foreign minister, stated that the accused staff were part of a “cell” embedded within the UN’s operations, and that they will face trial for espionage and collaboration with foreign intelligence services. The charges include allegations of aiding Israel and the United States in military operations against Houthi leadership.

The United Nations has condemned the detentions, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirming that at least 59 UN personnel are currently being held by Houthi forces. The recent arrests in Saada follow a broader crackdown, including raids on UN offices in Sanaa where IT and communication equipment were seized.

The UN has called for the immediate release of its staff and emphasized that humanitarian workers must be protected under international law. The detentions have raised concerns about the safety of aid operations in Yemen, where millions rely on UN assistance amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.

This escalation marks a troubling shift in Houthi relations with international organizations, potentially jeopardizing critical aid delivery and diplomatic engagement in the region.