Barran Press
The Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, continues its campaign of arrests that began in early June, targeting dozens of local and international agency employees.
According to journalist Faris Alhemyari, a correspondent for China's Xinhua news agency in Yemen, the Houthis arrested Dr. Ashraf Zabarah, Director of Family Health at the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health (not recognized internationally), after raiding his home in Sana'a.
Zabarah was appointed by the Houthis in 2016 as the "Central Supervisor for the World Health Organization in Sana'a Governorate." He previously worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
On Monday, Alhemyari reported that the Houthis arrested a retired employee (name withheld) who had worked for several international humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam and a Danish humanitarian program in Yemen.
In early June, the Houthi group launched a widespread campaign of arrests against employees of international and UN organizations operating in Sana'a and areas under their control.
On June 24, 2024, Minister of Human Rights and Legal Affairs Ahmed Arman accused the Houthi group of "continuing its campaign of arrests against aid workers in international, UN, and local organizations in Sana'a." He confirmed that the number of detainees exceeded 70, including employees of UN agencies, international and local organizations, among them five women.