UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate and unconditional release of 11 UN staff arrested by Houthi authorities in Yemen.
The workers were detained by security forces in raids on the World Food Programme (WFP), children's charity Unicef, and the World Health Organization (WHO), according to reports from news agencies and the UN.
Sunday's raids took place in the capital, Sanaa, and port city of Hudaydah, as reported by UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg.
Grundberg noted that the Houthis are currently holding 23 other UN personnel arrested since 2021, further complicating the humanitarian efforts in a country suffering from dire crises.
In a statement, Guterres condemned the arbitrary detentions and the forced entry into UN premises along with the seizure of property. He emphasized that it remains unclear why the Houthis targeted UN workers, who are critical in providing aid to millions of Yemenis affected by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
One of the previously arrested staff members died in custody earlier this year, adding to the concerns about the treatment of detainees.
Additionally, the Houthis have detained around 20 Yemeni employees affiliated with the US embassy for the past three years, further straining foreign relations.
Grundberg criticized the continued arbitrary detentions, stating they pose significant barriers to delivering assistance and advancing peace in Yemen.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions in the region, following an Israeli strike that killed high-ranking Houthi officials, marking a significant escalation in conflict related to ongoing regional hostilities.
The Iran-backed Houthis have maintained control over Yemen's capital and northwest regions since ousting the internationally recognized government in 2015 during a civil war that has led to over 150,000 deaths and displace millions, leaving a staggering 19.5 million people in need of aid.
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