Iran-backed Houthi rebels orchestrated a coordinated raid on United Nations (UN) offices in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, detaining at least 11 employees. These employees are associated with UN's food, health, and children's agencies, increasing tension in the capital.
This sudden and meticulously planned action followed Israel's airstrike on the Houthi Prime Minister and several key cabinet ministers, prompting the Houthis to tighten their security measures across the city.
UN envoy condemns arbitrary arrests
Hans Grundberg, the UN's special envoy to Yemen, criticized these moves as arbitrary arrests, labeling them direct assaults on humanitarian organizations. He stated, "I strongly condemn the arrests of UN staff in Sanaa and Hodeidah and the forced intrusion into UN offices to seize equipment. At least 11 UN employees have been detained, which is completely unacceptable."
He further urged the Houthi rebels to release all detained employees immediately and unconditionally.
Which agencies were targeted?
Houthi security forces initially raided the World Food Programme (WFP) office, arresting one staff member and then proceeding to detain more individuals from different locations. Offices of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF were also targeted. Armed rebels entered the premises and interrogated staff in the parking areas, subsequently confiscating UN property and important documents.
UNICEF spokesperson Ammar Ammar confirmed that several of their staff members were detained. Subsequently, WFP and UNICEF announced plans to conduct a headcount of all employees to accurately determine how many are missing.
A pattern of escalating action
Sunday's arrests are the latest in a series of Houthi actions against the UN and other humanitarian organizations. In recent years, dozens of UN employees, aid workers, and civil society members have been detained without cause or legal proceedings.
In January, the UN was forced to halt its operations in Saada (a northern Houthi stronghold) after eight UN employees were detained. The rebels had previously targeted local employees linked to the now-shuttered US Embassy in Sanaa as well.
The Houthis' hostile policies towards international organizations have disrupted humanitarian aid in Yemen, where millions are confronting starvation and severe shortages of healthcare resources due to prolonged conflict.
