News - Yemen: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Abdulwahid Abu Ras issued a strong warning to the United Nations during a meeting in Sana’a on Tuesday with Mohammed al-Ghannam, Head of the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy to Yemen, following the exposure of a major espionage network allegedly involving UN agency employees accused of spying for the Zionist entity.

Abu Ras stated that Yemeni authorities possess “conclusive evidence” proving the involvement of several staff members from the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF in “dangerous espionage activities” that led to the targeting of the Prime Minister of the government in Sana'a and several cabinet ministers.

He condemned the recent statement by the UN Secretary-General on the issue, describing it as “rejected and deplorable” for disregarding established facts and attempting to justify, rather than denounce, the violations.

The deputy minister affirmed that the government “will not tolerate any acts that threaten Yemen’s security or sovereignty,” adding that the government intends to “reassess all key agreements with international organizations operating in Yemen to ensure their full compliance with national laws and alignment with the country’s security and stability.”

Abu Ras stressed that all UN agencies and humanitarian organizations must “strictly adhere to their legal mandates, Yemen’s constitution, and the principles of humanitarian work,” warning against continued involvement in “intelligence or political roles serving hostile agendas against the Yemeni people.”

He also urged the UN Envoy to adopt “a more serious and balanced role” in advancing the peace process and pressuring the aggressor states and their proxies to stop unilateral measures that harm Yemenis and worsen the humanitarian situation.

Abu Ras concluded that achieving a just peace requires “real confidence-building steps and a genuine environment for dialogue,” free from political manipulation and external pressure.

The renewed tension between Sana’a and the United Nations follows recent revelations by Yemeni intelligence uncovering “a broad espionage network” operating under the cover of humanitarian work. Authorities accused staff from the WFP and UNICEF of transmitting sensitive information to intelligence services linked to the Zionist entity—information that coincided with deadly attacks on senior Yemeni officials.

The disclosures have sparked public outrage and revived criticism of foreign organizations accused of exceeding their humanitarian mandates. Relations between Sana’a and several UN bodies have long been strained over accusations of bias and interference, and the UN Secretary-General’s latest statement—viewed in Sana’a as dismissive—has deepened mistrust, prompting Yemen’s government to launch a full review of all agreements with international organizations.