U.S. Condemns Houthi Detention of Local Yemen Mission Staff, Demands Immediate Release

The State Department labels the cases “sham,” describing an Iran-backed campaign of intimidation targeting Yemenis linked to foreign organizations.

Overview

The U.S. issued a Dec. 10 press statement denouncing the Houthis’ ongoing detention of current and former local staff of the U.S. Mission to Yemen.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott called the legal actions against the detainees “sham proceedings.”
Washington demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained local mission staff.
The statement described the Houthis as Iran-backed and designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
U.S. officials said the Houthis have intensified intimidation and abuse of Yemenis affiliated with international organizations and foreign governments.