The United States accused the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, of holding its embassy staff in Sana'a as "hostages" solely for their association with the U.S. government.

This statement was made by U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Stephen Fagin, in a recent announcement published on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen website & seen by Barran Press. The remarks coincide with the third anniversary of what he termed the "illegal" detention of U.S. embassy personnel in Sana'a.

In his statement, Ambassador Fagin emphasized that "the Houthis are unjustly detaining innocent Yemeni citizens illegally for three years." He asserted that the detained individuals have not committed any crimes; instead, they have been working to foster understanding and strong relations between the two countries while providing for their families. "They are proud Yemeni citizens who simply found meaningful employment with the U.S. embassy," he noted.

Fagin further highlighted that it has been over four months since the Houthis brutally took additional Yemenis hostage, disrupting the lives of those committed to their country for merely performing routine tasks for the United Nations, NGOs, and diplomatic missions.

The ambassador criticized the Houthis for joining a "shameful long line of brutal terrorist groups" that unjustly harm innocent men and women based on fictitious allegations, fabricated evidence, and coerced confessions. He expressed deep concern over reports suggesting that the group may be prosecuting some of these innocent Yemenis on "false charges."

"We stand in solidarity with these innocent Yemenis and their families who have endured this disturbing ordeal, which grossly violates the human rights of all affected," he said. "We will not rest until they are returned to their homes and loved ones who miss them dearly. We call on the Houthis to unconditionally release all these detainees immediately."

In June, the Iran-backed Houthi group launched a wave of arrests, detaining 13 Yemeni employees from UN agencies and dozens of staff from international and local humanitarian organizations, with reports indicating around 70 individuals were arrested. The group has routinely accused detained personnel from international organizations of "espionage" on behalf of the U.S., often extracting coerced confessions that are broadcast through their media outlets.