UN condemns Houthi detention of aid workers in Yemen
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations strongly condemned on Sunday the detention of at least 11 of its personnel by Houthi authorities in areas under their control in Yemen.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the arbitrary arrests, the forced entry into offices of the World Food Program (WFP) and other UN agencies, and the seizure of UN property.
“I reiterate my demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all personnel from the United Nations, international and national NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions who have been arbitrarily detained today and in previous years,” the UN chief said.
Guterres stressed that humanitarian and diplomatic staff “must never be targeted while carrying out their duties,” and vowed that the UN, along with its partners, would continue to push for the safe release of detained staff while maintaining its support for the Yemeni people.
Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government to relocate to Aden.
Since then, the war has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 21 million people in need of assistance according to UN estimates.
The Houthis have previously been accused of detaining aid workers and obstructing humanitarian operations in territories under their control.
Rights groups and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that such practices jeopardize relief efforts and further endanger civilians already suffering from food insecurity and lack of medical care.