The UN has reported the detention of at least 11 staff members in Yemen following raids on UN offices in Sanaa and Hodeidah. The Houthi group, responsible for the raids, cited the recent Israeli airstrike that killed their prime minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, and other officials, as their justification. This incident marks a significant escalation in the already volatile situation.
The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, strongly condemned the detentions, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel. He emphasized the neutrality, impartiality, and humanitarian nature of the UN’s work in Yemen, highlighting the violation of the safety and dignity of its staff. This is not the first instance of UN staff being detained; Grundberg noted that 23 UN staff members were already being held, with one death reported earlier this year. The Houthis have previously accused detained aid workers of involvement in a supposed “American-Israeli spy network,” a claim the UN categorically denies.
The Israeli airstrike, targeting the presidential palace in Sanaa, was a retaliatory action following increased Houthi operations beyond Yemen’s borders. These operations included drone and missile attacks on Israel, along with targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, actions the Houthis framed as solidarity with the Palestinian cause. In response to al-Rahawi’s death, the Houthis have vowed to intensify their campaign against Israel, with their defense minister, Major General Mohammed Nasser Al-Atifi, declaring their readiness for confrontation and accusing America of targeting civilians in Yemen, mirroring the situation in Gaza.
This recent escalation significantly complicates the already fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of UN personnel and the potential for further conflict. The international community will be closely watching the unfolding events and the response from various actors in the region.
