UN Halts Operations in Houthi-Held Yemen After Staff Detentions

The United Nations has suspended all movements in Houthi-controlled areas following the detention of additional personnel, calling for their immediate release.

• The Houthi rebels in Yemen have detained more UN personnel, though the exact number remains unspecified, prompting the UN to suspend all official movements in Houthi-held territories.
• This follows a history of detentions, with the Houthis previously holding 16 UN staff and dozens of NGO workers under unclear circumstances.
• The UN is actively engaging with Houthi leadership to secure the unconditional release of its staff and partners, emphasizing the critical need for their safety.
• The detentions come as the Houthis face international pressure, including renewed U.S. designation as a terrorist organization, and have recently deescalated attacks on shipping and Israel after a Gaza ceasefire.
• Yemen remains gripped by a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 18 million people in need of aid, which the UN warns could be further impacted by these developments.

4 Articles

Associated Press Al Jazeera