UN food agency starts partial suspension of Yemen food aid

The U.N. food agency says it has started a partial suspension of food aid in areas controlled by Yemen’s rebels.

The World Food Program says it is suspending its operations in the capital, Sanaa, affecting 850,000 people.

WFP said Thursday it has taken the decision as a “last resort” after negotiations with the rebels, known as Houthis, stalled on an agreement to prevent food diversion.

Earlier this week, the WFP threatened to suspend some aid shipments to Yemen if the Houthi rebels do not investigate and stop theft and fraud in food distribution.

The Houthis accused the WFP of sending expired food to Yemen, and demanded the agency distribute cash rather than their “corrupted food.”

The conflict in Yemen began with the 2014 takeover of Sanaa by Houthis.