UN Categorically Rejects Houthi Espionage Accusations Against Its Staff

International Voice – October 17, 2025

The United Nations has categorically rejected accusations by Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, alleging that UN personnel or operations in Yemen have been involved in any form of espionage or activities inconsistent with the organization’s humanitarian mission.

The UN position came in remarks by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in response to allegations made by the group’s leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, in a speech on Thursday. Al-Houthi alleged that UN personnel, including a security and safety official with the World Food Programme, were involved in what he described as “espionage activities” and in targeting the group’s government in Sana’a.

“We categorically reject all allegations suggesting that United Nations personnel or operations in Yemen have engaged in any form of espionage or in any activities that are inconsistent with our humanitarian mandate,” Dujarric said.

“These allegations are extremely concerning and very disturbing, particularly because they are coming from the Houthi leadership,” he added.

The UN spokesperson stressed that “accusing United Nations personnel of being spies, or describing them as terrorists, only puts their lives at risk everywhere, and that is unacceptable.”

Dujarric renewed the UN’s demand that the Houthis end the arbitrary detention of 53 United Nations personnel.

He stressed that the United Nations operates in Yemen, as it does everywhere else in the world, to provide humanitarian assistance based on its fundamental principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality.

Dujarric emphasized that the presence of United Nations personnel in Yemen is solely intended to assist the Yemeni people.