Sana’a — Houthi in northern Yemen have declared their intention to prosecute 43 detained United Nations employees, accusing them of involvement in an Israeli airstrike that killed senior Houthi leaders in August.

The announcement was made by Abdulwahid Abu Ras, the acting foreign minister of the Houthi-run administration, who claimed the UN staff had assisted in the strike that targeted the capital, Sana’a, and resulted in the death of top officials, including Major General Mohammed al-Ghamari.

The United Nations has strongly denied the allegations, calling the detentions arbitrary and demanding the immediate release of all personnel. UN officials emphasized that the detained staff were engaged in humanitarian work and had no connection to any military operations.

Human rights organizations and international observers have condemned the move, warning that it could further jeopardize humanitarian operations in Yemen and violate international norms protecting aid workers.

The planned trials come amid heightened tensions and increased scrutiny of Houthi actions against international agencies operating in the region. The UN continues to pursue diplomatic channels to resolve the situation and ensure the safety of its staff.