The Houthi rebels wrestle with the UN over food aid

TO THE HOUTHIUNUNUNUNUN rebels, aid workers are spies and food is a tool of espionage. For nearly five years the Houthis have waged war against the Yemeni government, capturing much of the country and helping to create what the United Nations calls the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. About half of the population relies on food aid. But instead of helping it reach the needy, the Houthis are getting in the way. Over the past two years they have detained dozens of relief workers. The accuses them of blocking aid of all kinds to some 5m people.As the Houthis see it, the is being used by their enemies, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which support the government. The two countries donate much of the $4bn that the spends each year in Yemen. In return, say Houthi officials, the body serves as their eyes and ears in the north. Houthi preachers accuse the of withholding aid for the hungry or sending rotten food. “If the Saudi-backed coalition doesn’t kill you, the will,” say the Houthis’ backers on social media.