UN Vows to Stay in Sanaa Despite Risks, Rejects Move to Aden

The UN has affirmed its commitment to maintaining humanitarian operations in Sanaa, Yemen, despite the recent death of a staff member detained by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen, Julien Harneis, speaking from Amman, Jordan, on February 18, confirmed the UN's position, as reported by Middle East Monitor and seen by Barran Press.
"We are not suspending our operations in Yemen," Harneis stated. He clarified that operations in Saada were temporarily paused due to the detention of ten percent of their office staff. He also rejected suggestions to relocate UN operations from Sanaa to Aden, warning that such a move "would cost lives."
Harneis acknowledged the inherent risks, citing the Houthis' history of detaining aid workers and levying accusations of espionage, charges consistently denied by the UN.
The temporary suspension of operations in Saada followed the detention of seven World Food Programme employees. One of those staff members subsequently died under unknown circumstances, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to call for a full investigation.