On December 23, 2024, Julian Harnis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen, revealed that he has been involved in direct negotiations with the Houthi group, classified internationally as a terrorist organization, regarding the abduction of relief workers. This comes as the UN has issued over 50 statements addressing the issue.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, Harnis responded to accusations that the UN has been silent in the face of Houthi kidnappings. He noted that the relationship between the UN and the Houthis has improved, despite ongoing abductions of its personnel.

Since June, the Houthis have not only targeted aid workers but also detained several officials from ministries and institutions under their control. Harnis highlighted that the Houthis are sensitive to any actions related to gathering information or accessing data on beneficiaries of international aid, underscoring concerns about the independence of UN relief efforts.

Reflecting on past tensions, Harnis attributed the deterioration of relations with the Houthis to previous UN coordinators, stating that the current interactions are more favorable. He mentioned that the group is now expediting travel visas for aid workers and has stopped the weekly expulsions that were common in the past. Recently, a U.S.-based aid organization was granted permission to operate in the region.

Regarding international donors, Harnis identified the United States and the United Kingdom as major contributors to humanitarian aid in Yemen, even as they conduct airstrikes against the Houthis, who control a significant portion of northern Yemen.

The UN official criticized the withdrawal of diplomatic missions from Sana’a in 2015, rejecting calls to cut off aid to Houthi-controlled areas. He emphasized that humanitarian work is mandated by UN General Assembly Resolution 59, which obligates agencies to operate in crisis zones worldwide. Currently, over 65% of UN personnel are working in areas under Houthi control.

Harnis firmly stated that calls to halt UN activities in northern Yemen are unacceptable, noting that no Yemeni residents under these groups have chosen their circumstances voluntarily.

Since June 7, the Houthi group has launched a widespread campaign of arrests against international and UN staff in Sana’a, abducting 13 UN employees, including six from the High Commissioner’s office, along with over 50 workers from NGOs and one from an embassy.