UN Condemns Houthi Detention of Staff, Urges Immediate Release

UN Condemns Houthi Detention of Staff, Urges Immediate Release
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of at least 11 staff members in Yemen by Houthi authorities, also known as Ansar Allah, UN Website reported. The Secretary-General said the Houthis entered the premises of the World Food Programme (WFP) in the capital, Sana’a, and seized UN property.

Mr. Guterres reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the staff members, as well as all other personnel from the UN, international and national non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions who have been arbitrarily detained. He stressed that UN personnel and property “must never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their duties.”

The detention comes amid escalating tensions in the region. The Houthis, who have been battling Yemeni Government forces for over a decade, have also been targeting Israel and commercial ships in the Red Sea since October 2023 in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed “great concern” over recent Israeli strikes on Houthi-controlled areas following the group’s attacks on Israel. He emphasized that Yemen “cannot afford to become a battleground for a broader geopolitical conflict” and called on all sides to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with international law.