Barran Press
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak on Wednesday, February 12, described the death of World Food Programme (WFP) staffer Ahmed Baalawi in the custody of Iran-backed Houthis as a “wake-up call” about the dire conditions of detainees in Houthi prisons.
In a phone call with WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, Bin Mubarak extended his condolences, calling Baalawi’s death a war crime, according to Yemen’s official news agency, Saba. He urged urgent international intervention to protect detainees, safeguard humanitarian workers, and take decisive action against ongoing Houthi violations. He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.
Bin Mubarak emphasized that Baalawi’s death underscores the international community’s failure to curb Houthi abuses—an issue the Yemeni government has raised since the arrest of UN and humanitarian staff began. He called for relocating UN agency headquarters to Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital, to provide a safer environment for humanitarian operations and prevent Houthi looting.
McCain expressed deep sorrow over the loss and supported the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate, transparent investigation, accountability for those responsible, and enhanced protection for aid workers.