UN Condemns Latest Crackdown on Humanitarian Workers in Yemen

Sanaa, Yemen — The United Nations (UN) has demanded the immediate release of 20 detained staff members after Houthi forces raided a UN-operated compound in Sanaa, marking another escalation in the group’s ongoing crackdown on international aid organisations.

According to Jean Alam, spokesperson for the UN’s resident coordinator in Yemen, Houthi authorities stormed the facility located in the capital’s Hada district on Sunday, detaining both Yemeni and international staff.

“We are in direct contact with Houthi representatives and other relevant actors to resolve this serious situation, end the detention of all personnel, and restore full control over UN facilities in Sanaa,” Alam said.

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Details of the Raid and Detainees

Sources confirm that at least five Yemeni nationals and 15 foreign UN employees were taken into custody during the raid. Another 11 staff members were briefly interrogated before being released.

A UN official told The Associated Press that Houthi fighters confiscated all communication equipment, including phones, computers, and servers, cutting off contact with the outside world.

The detained employees are reportedly affiliated with several key UN agencies, including:

• World Food Programme (WFP)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNDP have also expressed concern over the deteriorating situation for international personnel in Yemen.

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Houthis Accuse UN Workers of Espionage

The Houthi movement, which controls much of northern Yemen, has long accused UN and NGO employees of spying for the United States and Israel — claims strongly rejected by the UN.

Houthi leader Abdelmalek al-Houthi recently declared on television that his forces had dismantled “one of the most dangerous spy cells” allegedly linked to WFP and UNICEF.

In response, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called the accusations “dangerous and unacceptable”, warning that such rhetoric undermines humanitarian work in one of the world’s worst crises.

“We will continue to call for an end to the arbitrary detention of 53 of our colleagues,” Dujarric said, referring to the growing number of aid workers held in Houthi-controlled areas.

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Escalation of Arrests Across Yemen

The latest raid adds to a sharp rise in detentions of humanitarian and NGO workers. Since August 31, 2025, the UN has documented:

• 21 UN personnel detained
• 23 employees of international NGOs arrested or questioned

Earlier this year, the UN suspended operations in Saada province following similar detentions and relocated its top humanitarian coordinator from Sanaa to Aden — the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

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Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Political Turmoil

The detentions threaten to further disrupt vital humanitarian operations in Yemen, where 10 years of war have devastated infrastructure, displaced millions, and left over 21 million people dependent on international aid.

According to UN data:

• Nearly 18 million Yemenis lack access to sufficient food.
• 2.2 million children suffer from acute malnutrition.
• Access to clean water and medical services remains severely limited.

Humanitarian agencies warn that any suspension of aid due to staff insecurity could push the country closer to famine.

“The detention of aid workers jeopardizes not only their lives but the lives of millions of Yemenis relying on humanitarian assistance,” said a UN humanitarian affairs officer based in Amman.

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International Response and Condemnation

The United States, European Union, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have joined the UN in demanding the immediate release of the detainees.

Diplomatic sources say negotiations are ongoing through Oman, a mediator between the Houthis and Western governments, to secure the workers’ freedom.

Regional observers warn that the Houthis’ actions could further isolate the group internationally, complicating peace efforts and humanitarian coordination.

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Background: Yemen’s Prolonged Conflict

Yemen’s civil war began in 2014, when Houthi rebels seized Sanaa and ousted the internationally recognised government. The conflict expanded in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

Despite years of UN-led peace talks and temporary ceasefires, fighting continues intermittently. The Houthis remain in control of most of northern Yemen, including the capital, while the internationally recognised government operates from Aden.