The Iranian-backed Houthis have launched a crackdown on United Nations agencies in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, detaining at least one UN employee and sparking widespread international concern.
The raids, which targeted the offices of the World Food Programme and Unicef, are the latest in a long-running campaign by the Houthis to exert control over international organizations operating in rebel-held areas.
Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the World Food Programme, condemned the detention, stating, “WFP reiterates that the arbitrary detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable.” Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for Unicef, confirmed an ongoing situation related to its offices in Sana’a, although further details were not provided.
A UN official expressed concern that several other WFP and Unicef staff members may have also been detained, as contacts with them were lost.
The Houthis’ actions have raised alarms about the safety and independence of humanitarian workers in Yemen. The raids come after the killing of the Houthi prime minister and several cabinet members in an Israeli strike on Thursday, which has escalated tensions in the region.
The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks on Israel and ships in the Red Sea, with Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the group’s leader, stating, “Our military approach of targeting the Israeli enemy, whether with missiles, drones or a naval blockade, is continuous, steady and escalating.”
The detention of UN staff members is not an isolated incident, as the Houthis have a history of cracking down on international organizations and civil society groups.
In January, the UN suspended its operations in the Houthi stronghold of Saada after the rebels detained eight UN staff members. The UN has since resumed some operations, but the situation remains precarious.
Human rights organizations have condemned the Houthis’ actions, citing a pattern of repression and brutality. “The Houthis’ actions continue a troubling pattern of repression of civic space in Yemen and a brutal targeting of human rights and humanitarian workers under baseless accusations of espionage,” said Human Rights Watch.
The organization’s researchers have documented dozens of cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance.
The international community has called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff members, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian workers in providing aid to millions of Yemenis in need.
The UN has suspended all official movements into and within areas under Houthi control, which will severely impact the delivery of life-saving assistance.
As the situation unfolds, concerns about the future of humanitarian work in Yemen grow. Experts warn that the Houthis’ actions may force aid organizations to reconsider their operations in the country, potentially devastating the millions of Yemenis who rely on aid.
“The Houthis likely view these detained aid workers as bargaining chips,” said Mohammed Albasha, founder of Basha Report. “The international community should recognize that the Houthis likely view these detained aid workers as bargaining chips,” he added.
In light of these developments, the international community must prioritize the safety and independence of humanitarian workers in Yemen.
Ensuring the release of detained staff members and protecting the integrity of aid operations is crucial to preventing a further humanitarian crisis in the country.