Houthis Arrest Three UN Workers on Suspicion of Spying for Israel; One in Critical Condition 

Houthi rebels in Yemen have arrested three local United Nations employees, including two women, on charges of espionage for Israel, a security source in the rebel group reported.

The arrests occurred in recent days in areas under Houthi control. Two women from the World Food Program were detained from their homes in the capital, Sana'a, while a third staff member was taken the same night.

According to the source, Sana'a's security and intelligence services maintain a list of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel and the United States. One of the arrested women is in critical condition after miscarrying earlier this month.These detentions are part of an escalating crackdown.

Earlier this week, seven more local UN workers faced similar accusations. About a week prior, Houthis raided the UN compound in Sana'a, briefly holding 20 staff members, 15 of them foreigners, before releasing them. UN data released Friday indicates 55 of its employees have been detained by the Houthis since 2021.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has accused UN agencies, including the World Food Program and UNICEF, of "aggressive espionage." He has also linked some to an Israeli airstrike in August that killed the rebels' prime minister.Reports from Yemen describe the Houthis as facing severe pressure, including from Israeli strikes targeting their economic assets.