Post by : Rameen Ariff

Yemen’s Houthi authorities have detained nine additional United Nations personnel, raising the total number of UN staff held arbitrarily since 2021 to 53, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed on Monday.

In a statement, Dujarric strongly condemned the continued arbitrary detention of UN personnel and partners, as well as the ongoing unlawful seizure of UN premises and assets in areas under Houthi control. Details regarding the timing or circumstances of the latest detentions were not disclosed.

In August, Houthi forces raided UN offices in Sanaa, detaining at least 18 staff members following an Israeli strike that killed the prime minister of the Houthi-run government along with several ministers. Houthi officials argued that UN staff should not use legal immunities to shield espionage activities and accused the organization of bias for condemning “legal measures against spy cells” while not criticizing the Israeli attack.

Yemen has been divided since late 2014 between a Houthi administration in Sanaa and a Saudi-backed government in Aden, resulting in a decade-long conflict.

Dujarric reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel, emphasizing that UN staff must be respected and protected under international law.

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