Aden -- United Nations has rejected accusations by Yemen’s Houthi authorities that UN personnel were involved in espionage activities, calling the claims “extremely disturbing and dangerous.” 

The organization urged the immediate and unconditional release of 11 detained staff members, including nine men and two women, who were reportedly taken by Houthi forces in recent weeks.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that labeling humanitarian workers as “spies” or “terrorists” not only undermines the integrity of international aid efforts but also places lives at risk across conflict zones. “Such baseless allegations jeopardize the safety of our personnel globally and are absolutely unacceptable,” Dujarric stated during a press briefing.

The detentions come amid escalating tensions in the region, with Houthi forces intensifying their rhetoric and actions in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This includes attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and increased hostility toward international organizations operating in Yemen.

The United Nations confirmed it is actively pursuing all diplomatic and humanitarian channels to secure the release of its staff. The U.S. State Department also condemned the detentions, describing them as part of a broader campaign of intimidation targeting UN, NGO, and diplomatic personnel. “This latest roundup demonstrates the bad faith of the Houthis and undermines their claims to represent the interests of the Yemeni people,” the department said in a statement.

The incident has sparked alarm among humanitarian groups, who warn that such actions could severely disrupt aid delivery in a country already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Yemen’s conflict has left millions in need of food, medical care, and shelter, with UN agencies playing a critical role in relief operations.

As the situation unfolds, the UN reiterated its commitment to supporting the Yemeni people and called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and the neutrality of aid workers. The organization also appealed to the global community to pressure the Houthis into releasing the detainees and ensuring the safety of humanitarian missions in the region.