By Abdulrhman Al-Ansi and Khaled Abdullah
SANAA (Reuters) -Forty-three detained local United Nations staff will face trial on suspicion of links to an Israeli airstrike that assassinated top Houthi leaders in August, the acting foreign minister of Yemen’s Houthi government, Abdulwahid Abu Ras, told Reuters.
In August, the prime minister of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi-run government and several other ministers were killed in an Israeli strike on the capital Sanaa, in the first such attack to kill senior officials.
The United Nations has repeatedly rejected Houthi accusations that U.N. staff or U.N. operations in Yemen were involved.
“The steps taken by the security agencies were carried out under full judicial supervision. The public prosecution was kept informed step by step with every action taken,” Abu Ras said in an interview with Reuters.
‘PROCESS MOVING TOWARD ITS CONCLUSION’
“Therefore, as long as the prosecution is informed, it is certain that this process is moving toward its conclusion, leading to trials and the issuance of judicial rulings,” he said.
Abu Ras said that cell within the World Food Programme was clearly involved in directly targeting the government.
There was no immediate comment from a World Food Programme spokesperson. The United Nations has repeatedly rejected accusations staff were involved in spying.
At least 59 UN personnel are being held by Houthis, according to the United Nations, which has condemned what it calls arbitrary detentions and called for the immediate release of its personnel and other detainees.
The defendants are Yemenis. According to Yemeni law they could face the death penalty.
‘INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT’ FOR UN TO PROVIDE AID
The latest detentions came after Houthi security forces entered several United Nations offices in Sanaa on Sunday.
The UN has accused Houthis of taking steps that have made it increasingly difficult for the agency to provide assistance to those in need in Yemen.
The acting foreign minister said the government is supporting other humanitarian organisations.
“We have clarified in a clear and explicit statement from the Foreign Ministry that we will support and assist organisations committed to the principles of humanitarian work, facilitating their activities and work,” he said.
The Houthis have controlled large swathes of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015.
After the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, the Houthis attacked global shipping lanes to show their solidarity with the Palestinian militant group. The group frequently fired missiles towards Israel, most of which were intercepted.
Israel unleashed a wide-ranging military campaign against Iran’s allies after it was attacked by Hamas in 2023, including the Houthis.
(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Conor Humphries)
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