In his latest speech, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Houthi militia, launched serious accusations against UN aid organizations operating in Sana’a, specifically alleging that a “cell” within the World Food Programme (WFP) had played a key role in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a Houthi government meeting in late August.

At the center of these accusations stands Ammar Nasser, a Yemeni national serving as the WFP’s Head of Security and Safety in Yemen. Nasser is well-known for his long humanitarian record, having worked in some of the world’s most devastated regions—from Mariupol in Ukraine to Gaza and now Yemen.

During Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza in late 2023, Nasser was among the first UN workers to respond, providing food and emergency aid to victims. Months later, Israel expelled several international humanitarian staff members from Gaza, including Nasser.

Now, the Houthis accuse him of espionage. “We have conclusive information about the spying activities of certain cells affiliated with UN organizations,” al-Houthi claimed in his speech.
However, humanitarian experts describe these allegations as baseless and politically motivated, pointing out that the Houthis have a long history of targeting international relief agencies.

According to UN sources, all non-Palestinian UN personnel enter Gaza through Israel’s Erez crossing, which requires an Israeli-issued travel permit—an administrative procedure, not evidence of collaboration.

Forty-year-old Ammar Nasser, originally from Mudiyah District in Yemen’s southern Abyan Governorate, was detained when Houthi security forces raided the WFP office in Sana’a in late August. He has since been held incommunicado, denied contact with his family, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric issued a strong response:

“We categorically reject all allegations suggesting that UN staff or operations in Yemen have engaged in espionage or activities inconsistent with our humanitarian mandate. These claims are deeply disturbing and entirely unfounded.”

The arrest of Ammar Nasser highlights a growing pattern of harassment and intimidation against aid workers under Houthi control, including arbitrary detentions, smear campaigns, and extortion of detainees’ families.