Houthi rebels in Yemen detained seven UN workers on Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the action, calling for their “immediate and unconditional” release. He stated, “Their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable.”
Impact on Humanitarian Efforts
The Houthis have detained hundreds of UN and humanitarian workers since mid-2022. Guterres noted that these detentions hinder the UN’s efforts to help millions in need. Yemen faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 18 million people requiring assistance.
UN Suspends Operations in Houthi Areas
In response to the detentions, the UN has suspended all movements into and within Houthi-controlled areas. This action, confirmed by the UN’s resident coordinator for Yemen, halts aid distribution in these regions.
US Designates Houthis as Terrorists
These detentions come after US President Donald Trump re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. This move will review UN and NGO operations in Yemen that rely on US funding. The designation adds pressure on the Houthis, complicating the humanitarian situation.
Houthis’ Response to US Action
Mohammed al-Basha, from the Basha Report, believes the detentions are a response to the US terrorist designation. He suggests that by detaining UN workers, the Houthis aim to pressure the international community to influence the Trump administration.
Ongoing Conflict in Yemen
The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014. Despite a ceasefire in Gaza, they continue their war against a Saudi-led coalition. Recently, the Houthis released 25 crew members of a seized cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, and promised to reduce Red Sea attacks.
Detentions and Spying Allegations
The Houthis have long been accused of detaining civilians and humanitarian workers. In June, they detained 13 UN personnel and more than 50 NGO staff, claiming they were part of an “American-Israeli spy network.” The UN rejected these accusations. In August, the Houthis raided the UNHCR office, seizing and later returning documents.