In brief
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the immediate release of 11 UN staff members arrested by Houthi forces in Yemen during raids on aid organizations. As tensions rise following an attack that killed Houthi officials, Guterres condemned the arbitrary detentions that hinder humanitarian efforts in a country grappling with one of the world's worst crises.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate and unconditional release of 11 UN staff arrested by Houthi authorities in Yemen. The workers were detained by security forces in raids on the World Food Programme (WFP), children's charity Unicef, and the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported by news agencies and the UN. These raids occurred on Sunday in the capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hudaydah.According to UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, the Houthis had previously detained 23 other UN personnel since 2021. The Houthi authorities have not provided any comments regarding the latest arrests.In a statement, Guterres expressed his strong condemnation of the arbitrary detentions, highlighting the forced entry into WFP and other UN premises and the seizure of property. The rationale behind targeting UN workers remains unclear, especially given that their staff have been crucial in providing vital aid to Yemenis during an ongoing humanitarian crisis.One previously detained individual tragically died while in detention earlier this year, said Grundberg, who also noted that roughly 20 Yemeni employees of the US embassy have been held by the Houthis for three years.Despite sustained engagement and assurances sought over the last year, the arbitrary detention of UN staff, NGO workers, and civil society has continued, Grundberg stated. He emphasized that these actions severely hinder the efforts to deliver assistance and promote peace in Yemen.The recent arrests coincide with heightened tensions following an Israeli attack that resulted in the deaths of Houthi Prime Minister and other key officials. This incident represented a significant escalation in hostilities and marked a turning point in Houthi-Israeli relations.Since taking control of the capital in 2014, the Iran-backed Houthis have dominated the northwestern region of Yemen, leading to a catastrophic civil war that has left over 150,000 people dead and displaced millions. Currently, approximately 19.5 million people in Yemen are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
