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. Sunday's raids occurred in the capital city, Sanaa, and the port city of Hudaydah, as stated by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.
Grundberg noted that the Houthis had been holding 23 other UN workers detained since 2021, and lamented that despite efforts to address these arbitrary detentions, they have not ceased. Houthi authorities have yet to release any information concerning the motives behind the recent arrests. Guterres strongly condemned the arbitrary detentions and the forced entry into UN facilities.
He highlighted the crucial role of UN staff in providing assistance to Yemen, which has been enduring one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The recent arrests add to concerns over the ongoing detentions of various aid workers and civil society members in Houthi-held areas.
Earlier this year, one detainee died while in custody, further exacerbating fears for the safety of detained personnel. The international community's concerns have grown along with the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where conflict has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced millions.
This latest incident comes amid rising tensions following an Israeli attack that reportedly killed Houthi prime minister and other officials, marking a significant escalation in the conflict as the Houthis continue to respond to regional issues in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Grundberg noted that the Houthis had been holding 23 other UN workers detained since 2021, and lamented that despite efforts to address these arbitrary detentions, they have not ceased. Houthi authorities have yet to release any information concerning the motives behind the recent arrests. Guterres strongly condemned the arbitrary detentions and the forced entry into UN facilities.
He highlighted the crucial role of UN staff in providing assistance to Yemen, which has been enduring one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The recent arrests add to concerns over the ongoing detentions of various aid workers and civil society members in Houthi-held areas.
Earlier this year, one detainee died while in custody, further exacerbating fears for the safety of detained personnel. The international community's concerns have grown along with the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where conflict has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced millions.
This latest incident comes amid rising tensions following an Israeli attack that reportedly killed Houthi prime minister and other officials, marking a significant escalation in the conflict as the Houthis continue to respond to regional issues in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
