At least nine Yemeni employees of United Nations agencies have been detained by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, sparking concerns about their well-being and the escalating tensions in the region. The detentions, which were confirmed by regional officials speaking on condition of anonymity, include staff from the UN human rights agency, its development program, the World Food Program, and the office of its special envoy.
The Mayyun Organization for Human Rights condemned the detentions as a dangerous escalation and a violation of the privileges and immunities of United Nations employees under international law. Other aid groups whose employees were detained by the Houthis across four provinces that they hold — Amran, Hodeida, Saada, and Saana — were also named.
The reasons behind the detentions remain unclear, but they come at a time when the Houthis are facing financial pressure and airstrikes from a US-led coalition. The rebels have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
The war in Yemen has already claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people and created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions. The detentions of UN employees further exacerbate the situation, with activists, lawyers, and others calling for their immediate release to prevent further isolation of the country from the international community.
As the US plans to increase economic pressure on the Houthis by blocking their revenue sources, the situation in Yemen remains precarious, with fears of internal tensions spiraling out of control and leading to complete economic collapse. The detentions of UN employees serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the war-torn country and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.