Sanaa: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have arrested three local United Nations staff, including two women, accusing them of spying for Israel, a security source from the group told AFP on Sunday.

"Two women working for the World Food Programme were taken from their homes on Saturday," the source said, adding that a Yemeni man also employed by the WFP was arrested that same night.

"Security and intelligence services in Sanaa still have a list of people wanted for collaborating with the Israeli and American enemy," the source added.

These arrests come amid a broader crackdown on UN and NGO workers, with seven other local UN staffers detained earlier this week over alleged collusion with Israel.

Last week, the rebels raided the UN compound in Sanaa, holding 20 staffers, including 15 foreigners, before releasing them shortly afterwards. Twelve of the international staffers left the country on Wednesday.

The United Nations reported on Friday that the Houthis have arrested 55 of its personnel since 2021.

Rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi accused UN agencies, including the WFP and UNICEF, of taking part in "aggressive espionage." He further claimed that some staffers had a role in Israeli strikes targeting a cabinet meeting in August that killed the rebel prime minister.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, Yemen’s Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes, which they say is in support of the Palestinians. Israel, in turn, has launched heavy strikes on rebel-held areas in Yemen.