UN Demands Immediate Release of Detained Staff in Yemen

Wed Feb 04 2026 04:58:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls for the unconditional release of 11 UN employees arrested by Houthi authorities amid escalating humanitarian crises in Yemen.

Following recent raids in Yemen, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urgently requested the release of 11 detained UN staff, who are crucial for humanitarian assistance. The workers were apprehended during operations by Houthi authorities in Sanaa and Hudaydah, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. Guterres condemned the arbitrary detentions and called into question the motives behind these actions that disrupt crucial aid efforts.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate and unconditional release of 11 UN staff arrested by Houthi authorities in Yemen.

The workers were detained by security forces in raids on the World Food Programme (WFP), children's charity Unicef and the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported by news agencies and the UN.

Sunday's raids took place in the capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hudaydah, according to UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.

Grundberg mentioned that the Houthis had already been holding 23 other UN workers arrested since 2021.

As of now, Houthi authorities have not commented on the arrests.

In a statement, Guterres condemned the arbitrary detentions of at least 11 UN personnel and criticized the forced entry into WFP and other UN premises, along with the seizure of property.

It remains unclear why the Houthis targeted UN workers, as their assistance has been a vital lifeline for the Yemeni population during one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

It was noted that one individual previously arrested died in detention earlier this year, highlighting serious concerns about the safety of detained persons.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that around 20 Yemeni employees of the US embassy have also been detained by the Houthis for over three years.

Despite sustained engagement and assurances sought over the last year, the arbitrary detention of UN staff, NGO workers, and civil society has continued, stated Grundberg. These actions severely hinder broader efforts to deliver assistance and advance peace in Yemen.

The recent arrests occur amidst heightened tensions following an attack that resulted in the death of the Houthi prime minister and other high-ranking officials.

This attack marks a significant escalation, as it is part of ongoing retaliatory actions from Israel against the Houthis, who have been firing missiles in support of Palestinian causes in Gaza.

Since the Houthis overthrew the internationally recognized government in 2015, they have maintained control over the capital and northwest regions of Yemen.

The ongoing conflict has left over 150,000 dead and displaced approximately 4.8 million people, with half of the population—19.5 million—requiring some form of aid.