SANA’A — The United Nations announced Thursday that Houthi militias have detained ten of its Yemeni staff members, marking the latest episode in a series of crackdowns against UN personnel over the past years.

Dozens of UN employees and aid workers have previously faced detention and pressure, accused by the Houthis of spying for the United States and Israel — charges that carry the death penalty in Yemen and have been strongly rejected by the UN.

The Houthis have intensified arrests since the outbreak of the Gaza war more than two years ago, particularly after Israeli strikes in August killed nearly half of their cabinet members, including the prime minister.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said: “We can today confirm the arbitrary detention of ten UN staff members by Houthi authorities in Sana’a, bringing the total number of UN personnel currently held to 69.”