The Houthi militia in Yemen has reportedly forced several employees of the World Food Programme (WFP) detained in its custody to make coerced confessions under threat, accusing them of spying for Israel, according to security sources who spoke to Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni.

The sources said the Houthi Intelligence Service compelled the detainees to admit to espionage charges amid growing fears for their safety — particularly for Ammar Nasser, WFP’s Head of Safety and Security in Yemen, who was personally accused of spying by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in his latest speech.

The accusations came shortly after the WFP suspended most of its relief operations in Houthi-held areas due to large-scale violations and the diversion of aid supplies to Houthi fighters and affiliates.

Observers warn that this escalation could severely strain relations between the Houthis and international humanitarian organizations, worsening Yemen’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Some fear that the detained staff may face execution, recalling previous incidents in which Houthis executed civilians in Tihama over similar “espionage” charges following the assassination of their former political chief, Saleh al-Sammad.