Overview
- Two female World Food Programme staff were seized from their Sanaa homes on Saturday, with one reported in critical condition after a recent premature birth and the death of her baby, according to UN officials.
- A Houthi security source told AFP a Yemeni WFP employee was also arrested Saturday night, following earlier reports that seven Yemeni UN staff were detained this week on accusations of spying for Israel.
- The UN says roughly 55 personnel remain in detention as rebels have forced entry into UN premises, occupied facilities and seized assets, including communications equipment.
- UN leaders reject the espionage allegations as unsubstantiated and say the campaign is constraining aid delivery and compelling a reassessment of how to work in areas under Houthi control.
- After a raid last weekend, 12 international UN staff were allowed to leave Sanaa on a UN humanitarian flight, with some relocating to Jordan to continue their duties.