United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the detention of 10 additional UN staff members by the Houthi movement in Yemen, bringing the total number of detained local staffers to 69. Guterres called for the immediate release of all detainees, emphasizing the impact of these arrests on humanitarian operations.

---

UN Condemns Houthi Detentions

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, stated that the recent detentions make it “untenable” for the UN to deliver humanitarian aid in Houthi-controlled regions, directly affecting millions of Yemenis who rely on life-saving assistance.

“These detentions render the delivery of UN humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable. This directly affects millions of people in need and limits their access to life-saving assistance,” Dujarric said.

The Houthis, who control most of northwestern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have intensified arrests of UN staff since October 2023, accusing them of spying for the US and Israel. The UN has consistently rejected these allegations.

All of the most recently detained UN staffers are Yemeni nationals, according to the organization.

---

Diplomatic Efforts and Mediation

The arrests come shortly after Guterres discussed the situation with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, which has acted as a mediator in Yemen. The UN chief also criticized the referral of three detained staffers to a criminal court, stating the charges were related to their official UN duties and demanding the charges be dropped.

Guterres urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue.

---

Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with Guterres reporting that 19.5 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population, require urgent aid. The decade-long civil war has caused widespread displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and basic services.

The conflict has recently shifted as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) expanded its presence in southeastern Yemen, including the oil-rich governorates of Hadramout, al-Mahra, and the strategic port city of Aden. The STC, which seeks an independent southern state, has clashed historically with both the Houthis and the internationally recognized government based in Aden.

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) condemned the STC’s unilateral expansion as a violation of authority, though the STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi holds a vice-chair position within the PLC.

---

Call for Dialogue and Restraint

Guterres emphasized the need for all factions in Yemen to prioritize humanitarian access, dialogue, and de-escalation. The UN continues to advocate for international cooperation to ensure the safety of staff and uninterrupted aid delivery.

“All parties must exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue,” Guterres said.

The UN’s warning underscores the fragility of humanitarian operations in Yemen, where political fragmentation, armed conflict, and power struggles continue to threaten millions of civilians.