The US Ambassador to Yemen, Stephen Fagin, on Friday, September 6, 2024, denounced the accusations leveled by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, against Yemeni nationals arrested by the group. The accusations claim these individuals, employed by UN and international agencies, were engaged in espionage for the US. Ambassador Fagin labeled these accusations "false and fabricated."

In a statement released by the US Embassy in Yemen on the social media platform X, monitored by "Barran Press",  Fagin condemned the continued detention of employees working for UN agencies, international organizations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthis for over 90 days.

"Today marks 90 days since the Houthis detained innocent employees working with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and diplomatic missions," the statement read. "It also marks over 1,000 days since the unlawful detention of twelve current and former employees of the US Embassy in Yemen by the same terrorist group."

The statement further highlighted the Houthi actions as a demonstration of "shortsightedness, cruelty, and inhumanity." It accused the Houthis of separating the detainees from their families based on "false and fabricated accusations" that do not align with the reality of these individuals who are dedicated to their families, Yemen, and its future.

Ambassador Fagin warned that these actions could exacerbate the suffering of Yemenis living in Houthi-controlled areas by jeopardizing crucial humanitarian aid. He emphasized, "We will not rest until our Yemeni colleagues return safely to their families, and we demand the Houthis immediately release all detainees."

The Iranian-backed Houthi group launched a wave of arrests in June 2024, targeting 13 Yemeni employees of UN agencies and dozens of employees from international and local organizations working in the field of relief and humanitarian assistance. Human rights reports indicate the arrest of approximately 70 individuals.

The group has consistently accused detainees from UN and international organizations of "collusion and espionage" on behalf of the United States, extracting coerced confessions that incriminate the detainees and broadcasting them through their media outlets.