The UN's food agency has accused the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen of stealing "from the mouths of hungry people" and diverting food deliveries.
Monday's strongly worded statement came after the World Food Program said it collected evidence showing the militias diverted shipments of food sent to help alleviate the country's humanitarian crisis, reported The Associated Press.
The World Food Program said it obtained photographic evidence showing Houthi trucks seizing food and militants manipulating lists of aid recipients.
The WFP is helping 12 million hungry people in Yemen and wants an "overhaul of the relief system," including biometric registration.
The Houthis, however, resist such measures, it revealed.
David Beasley, executive director of the UN's food program, demanded: "This criminal behavior must stop immediately."
