Yemen’s Houthi rebels have returned the United Nations Human Rights Office in Sana’a, which they seized earlier this month, a UN spokesman announced on Monday.
The Iran-backed Shiite militia group took control of the office on August 3, forcing UN staff to hand over documents and personal items. The office was returned to the resident coordinator in Yemen, but concerns remain for the detained staff members and others held by the Houthis.
UN rights chief Volker Turk condemned the seizure as an attack on the UN’s mandate, and the allegations of an “American-Israeli spy network” have been denied by the UN. The ongoing civil war in Yemen has led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with hunger and famine affecting many areas.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, as the situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate.