UN Halts Operations in Houthi-Occupied Yemen Due to Staff Detentions
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Synopsis
The United Nations has halted all operations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen due to the detention of UN personnel. Senior officials are demanding their release, while Houthi authorities remain silent on the matter. This situation adds to ongoing humanitarian crises in the region since the Houthis took control in 2014.
Key Takeaways
- UN suspends operations in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
- Demands for the release of detained UN personnel.
- Houthi authorities have not commented on the situation.
- Detentions include workers from UNICEF and World Food Programme.
- Ongoing humanitarian crisis worsened by conflict since 2014.
Aden, Jan 24 (NationPress) The United Nations declared on Friday that it has ceased all official activities in regions of Yemen controlled by the Houthis following the detention of more UN personnel. In a public statement, the UN indicated that this suspension would last until further notice. It also noted that senior UN officials are in discussions with Houthi leaders, insisting on the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN staff and associated partners.
The Houthi authorities, who dominate much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have not responded to the UN's decision or its requests.
A source from the Yemeni government, who spoke to Xinhua on the condition of anonymity, reported that the Houthis detained at least seven Yemeni workers associated with international organizations on Thursday night. These detainees reportedly collaborated with agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme.
In June 2024, the Houthi group initiated a widespread detention campaign, targeting employees from UN, international, and local humanitarian organizations in Sanaa.
During that time, Houthi authorities alleged they had captured 'key members of an American-Israeli spy network' purportedly linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The UN has persistently advocated for the release of those detained, including during a December 2024 trip to Sanaa by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, who aimed to negotiate the freedom of UN staff held by the Houthis.
The Houthis have held control over Sanaa and a large portion of northern Yemen since late 2014, engaging in conflict against Yemeni government forces. This ongoing conflict has resulted in what the UN describes as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.
