Concerns have been raised by UN agencies and NGOs regarding the detention and potential criminal prosecution of their staff by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The detainees have been accused of being part of a “US-Israeli spy network,” a claim strongly denied by the United Nations.
Among the detained are personnel from various humanitarian organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and Oxfam International. The arbitrary detention of both UN and NGO workers has been ongoing since the start of Yemen’s civil war in 2014.
The Houthis’ recent action of storming the UNHCR office and seizing documents further escalates tensions. The international community has made a collective plea for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained staff.
The conflict in Yemen has resulted in widespread suffering, with hundreds of thousands of deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis. While a ceasefire negotiated by the UN has brought some respite, the situation remains fragile.