UN Operations in Houthi-Controlled Yemen Face Mounting Threats Amid Staff Detentions
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the safety of humanitarian personnel operating in regions under the control of the Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah.
According to UN officials, more than 60 employees from UN agencies, international NGOs, and local civil society organizations have been arbitrarily detained since mid-2024. Many have been held incommunicado, without access to legal representation or contact with their families, raising fears of enforced disappearances.
Julien Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, announced the suspension of staff movements as a precautionary measure, stating: 'To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities' control… this measure will remain in place until further notice'.
The detentions have sparked international condemnation, with the UN Security Council and humanitarian organizations demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.
The Houthis have reportedly accused some of the detained workers of espionage and referred them to a state security prosecution in Sanaa, prompting fears of politically motivated trials and possible death sentences.
Human rights groups warn that the crackdown on aid workers could severely disrupt humanitarian operations in northern Yemen, where millions rely on UN-supported food, health, and shelter programs. The situation has also led to an exodus of local staff, with many fleeing to government-controlled areas or seeking asylum abroad.
The UN and its partners continue to engage with Houthi authorities through diplomatic channels, urging respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of aid personnel. However, the escalating risks have forced several organizations to scale back operations or relocate offices to safer regions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yemen Online
an hour ago
- Yemen Online
Yemen's Houthis claims Triple Drone Strikes on Israeli Targets
Sana'a — Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for three coordinated drone attacks targeting strategic sites across Israel, marking a significant escalation in their military campaign linked to the ongoing Gaza conflict. According to Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the operations struck Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and the port of Haifa, using unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Yemen. Saree stated that all three attacks 'successfully reached their goals,' describing them as part of the group's continued support for Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed intercepting at least one drone over southern Israel, while local media reported explosions near key infrastructure sites. No casualties have been officially reported, but investigations are ongoing. These strikes come amid the Houthis' broader campaign to disrupt maritime traffic linked to Israel. The group has previously targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, warning that any company dealing with Israeli ports could face attacks.
Yemen Online
2 hours ago
- Yemen Online
Iran-Linked Captagon Trade Shifts from Syria to Yemen
Sana'a — Yemeni authorities have seized over 1.5 million Captagon pills in a major drug bust, revealing what officials describe as a strategic shift in regional narcotics trafficking from Syria to Yemen. The shipment, hidden on the roof of a refrigerated truck traveling from Houthi-controlled Sana'a to Saudi Arabia, is believed to be part of a growing network of Iran-backed smuggling operations. The seizure comes amid intensified crackdowns on Captagon production in Syria, long considered the epicenter of the trade. With the weakening of the Assad regime and its allies, including Hezbollah, experts say Iran-aligned groups are now exploiting Yemen's instability to reroute drug flows toward Gulf markets. Brigadier General Abdullah Lahmadi, head of Yemen's drug control authority, stated that the bust highlights 'the scale of trafficking allegedly supported by the Houthis,' who are accused of using narcotics to fund their military operations. Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani warned that the shift 'deepens regional security threats' and reflects 'malicious tactics' by the militia. A 2024 UN Panel of Experts report previously noted the Houthis' involvement in trafficking drugs, arms, and telecom equipment to generate illicit revenue. Analysts now fear Yemen may become a new hub for Captagon production, replacing Syria as the primary corridor for smuggling into Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Yemen Online
2 hours ago
- Yemen Online
Political Violence Surges in Yemen as Fuel Imports to Houthi-Controlled Areas Plummet
Sana'a — Yemen is witnessing a sharp escalation in political violence amid a significant drop in fuel imports to Houthi-controlled territories, raising concerns over humanitarian fallout and regional stability. According to recent reports, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has suspended approvals for fuel shipments destined for the port of Hudaydah, a key entry point for supplies into northern Yemen. As of late June, over 20 fuel tankers carrying approximately 500,000 metric tons of fuel were stranded in the Coalition Holding Area in the Red Sea, awaiting clearance. The move follows allegations that the Houthis misappropriated 45 billion Yemeni rials from a special account at the Central Bank's Hudaydah branch, diverting funds to support their military operations. In response, the Houthis have accused the coalition of orchestrating a blockade, using the fuel crisis as a propaganda tool to rally support and inflate prices in local markets. Meanwhile, political tensions have intensified. Houthi drone attacks on oil infrastructure in government-controlled regions, including the Dhabba Oil Terminal in Hadramawt, have disrupted exports and heightened fears of renewed conflict. These strikes, coupled with the group's refusal to renew a UN-brokered truce, signal a return to aggressive tactics aimed at pressuring the Yemeni government and its allies. Analysts warn that the dual crisis—fuel shortages and rising violence—could deepen Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe. Millions remain dependent on fuel for electricity, water access, and transportation, while political instability threatens fragile peace efforts.
