Barran Press
January 25, 2025 – Sources revealed that the Iran-backed Houthis have increased their detentions of humanitarian aid workers in Sana’a, bringing the number to 22. According to Xinhua's correspondent Fares Alhemyari, the detainees include personnel from the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, a British development program, and USAID.
Earlier, the UN reported the abduction of seven more staff by the Houthis. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for their immediate and unconditional release, stressing the severity of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The UN has since suspended all official movements into Houthi-controlled areas.
This escalation follows a recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to re-designate the Houthis on the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, impacting UN and NGO operations funded by the U.S.
In June 2024, the Houthis detained 13 UN staff, over 50 NGO employees, and an embassy worker. Since November 2021, they have held two UN human rights workers.
Earlier, the UN reported the abduction of seven more staff by the Houthis. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for their immediate and unconditional release, stressing the severity of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. The UN has since suspended all official movements into Houthi-controlled areas.
This escalation follows a recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to re-designate the Houthis on the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, impacting UN and NGO operations funded by the U.S.
In June 2024, the Houthis detained 13 UN staff, over 50 NGO employees, and an embassy worker. Since November 2021, they have held two UN human rights workers.
