Iran-backed Houthi forces raided United Nations offices in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, detaining at least 11 employees from agencies including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. The raids took place on Sunday as the group tightened security following an Israeli airstrike that killed the Houthi prime minister and several cabinet members.
Hans Grundberg, the UN envoy for Yemen, strongly condemned the detentions and the forced entry into UN premises, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all staff. A spokesperson for the World Food Programme confirmed that security forces had raided their offices and detained at least one staff member in Sana’a, with others reportedly held in different areas. UNICEF also reported detentions and said it was seeking more information from the Houthis.
This is the latest in a series of crackdowns by the Houthis against international organizations operating in areas under their control. Dozens of UN and aid workers have been detained in recent months, leading the UN to suspend operations in some regions.
The Israeli strike on Thursday targeted a government workshop, killing the prime minister, foreign minister, and other high-ranking officials. A public funeral for those killed is planned for Monday in Sana’a’s Sabeen Square.In Sana’a, the defense minister, Mohamed Nasser al-Atifi, survived the attack. According to Houthi officials, the interior minister, Abdel-Karim al-Houthi—one of the group’s most influential figures—was not present at Thursday’s meeting.
This strike followed a Houthi attack on Israel on August 21, when they launched a ballistic missile described by the Israeli military as the first cluster bomb used by the rebels since 2023. The Houthis claimed the missile was aimed at Ben Gurion Airport, setting off air raid sirens across central Israel and Jerusalem and forcing millions to seek shelter.
The Houthis are expected to increase their attacks on Israel and on ships in the Red Sea. In July, they pledged to target merchant vessels from any company doing business with Israeli ports, regardless of the ship’s nationality.
The group’s secretive leader, al-Houthi, reinforced this stance in a televised speech on Sunday, stating, “Our military approach of targeting the Israeli enemy—whether with missiles, drones, or a naval blockade—is continuous, steady, and escalating.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reported detention of UN staff by Houthi forces designed to be clear and accessible
General Beginner Questions
1 What exactly happened
Houthi forces who control Yemens capital Sanaa conducted raids on the offices of two United Nations agencies During these raids they detained at least 11 staff members who work for the UN
2 Who are the Houthis
The Houthis are an armed political and religious movement that controls a large part of northern Yemen including the capital city Sanaa They have been engaged in a longrunning civil war against the internationally recognized government of Yemen
3 Which UN agencies were raided
While reports can vary the raids were primarily targeted at offices dealing with human rights and development such as the UN Human Rights Office and potentially others involved in aid coordination
4 Why would the Houthis do this
The specific reasons are not yet fully clear It often happens when controlling powers want to pressure international organizations protest certain UN actions or statements or restrict outside monitoring of the human rights situation within their territory
5 Is this a common occurrence
Detentions and harassment of aid workers including UN staff have unfortunately been a recurring challenge in conflict zones like Yemen where armed groups seek to control humanitarian aid and silence criticism
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What is the legal status of detaining UN staff
It is a serious violation of international law UN personnel are protected under the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations which is meant to ensure they can perform their duties without interference Detaining them is illegal and widely condemned
7 What has been the international response
The UN SecretaryGeneral and numerous member states including the United States and European nations have issued strong statements condemning the detentions and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all staff
8 How does this impact humanitarian aid in Yemen
This creates a major crisis It forces aid agencies to suspend their lifesaving operations due to security concerns for their staff This directly threatens the millions of Yemeni civilians who rely on UN aid for food healthcare and shelter
9 What is the difference between detained and arrested
In this context detained often
