Houthis face widespread condemnation for kidnapping Yemeni UN employees

Human rights groups have strongly condemned the recent abduction of scores of Yemenis working for the UN and US organizations by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. The Yemeni Human Rights Minister Ahmed Arman revealed that around 50 Yemeni personnel from various UN agencies, the US Embassy, US-funded NGOs, and other foreign organizations were kidnapped by the Houthis after storming their residences in Sanaa.

The Houthis have also reportedly abducted Yemeni workers in other provinces under their control. The Minister of Human Rights stated that the militia had resumed their raids on residences in Sanaa and abducted more Yemenis working for foreign organizations. However, he did not disclose the names of the abducted individuals or the organizations they work for.

In a joint statement, 118 Yemeni human rights organizations condemned the Houthi intelligence and security services for conducting simultaneous raids on the homes of Yemenis working for the UN and other international organizations in various provinces, including Sanaa, Hodeidah, Saada, and Amran. The organizations were abducted and had their mobile phones and laptops confiscated.

The Yemeni groups expressed outrage at the Houthi militia’s actions, calling them a blatant violation of national and international laws and standards. They also criticized the militia for disrespecting international and regional efforts aimed at restoring peace in the country.

The Houthis have not provided an official explanation for their campaign, but they have previously accused Yemeni workers employed by foreign embassies or organizations of collaborating with their enemies. The UN Secretary-General’s spokesman, Farhan Aziz Haq, declined to comment on the reports of continued targeting of Yemeni UN agencies’ personnel by the Houthis.

Meanwhile, the US military reported intercepting a fresh barrage of Houthi drones and missiles over the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The US Central Command stated that the Houthis had fired ballistic missiles from regions under their control over the Red Sea, but none had hit any navy or commercial ships. CENTCOM forces successfully destroyed several drones and missiles before they reached their targets on international shipping routes.

Houthi media claimed that US and UK planes had carried out airstrikes on the airport in Hodeidah and the Al-Salif port, as well as a military base north of Sanaa. The Houthi military spokesperson announced that their forces had launched drones and missiles at two ships in the Red Sea for allegedly breaching their ban on sailing to Israel.

The recent actions by the Houthis have raised concerns about the safety of international naval and commercial ships in the region. Since November, the militia has sunk one ship, seized another, and launched numerous ballistic missiles and drones at ships in support of the Palestinian people. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for an end to the violence and instability caused by the Houthi militia in Yemen.