Chaos in Yemen: Houthis Seize UN Workers After Israeli Strikes
Armed Houthi forces stormed UN facilities in Yemen's capital, detaining 11 workers. The incident follows Israeli airstrikes and raises concerns for humanitarian operations.
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At least 11 United Nations employees have been detained in Yemen’s capital Sanaa after armed Houthi forces stormed multiple UN premises, including the offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, international media reported on late Sunday.
Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, confirmed the detentions and said he “strongly condemns” both the arrests and the forced entry into UN facilities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all detained personnel, stressing that humanitarian workers must never be targeted while carrying out their duties.
“The personnel of the UN and its partners must never be targeted, arrested, or detained,” Guterres said in a statement. “We will continue to work tirelessly to secure their safe and immediate release.”
Witnesses declared that armed Houthis surrounded the compounds, interrogated staff in parking lots, and cut off communication with several employees. WFP and UNICEF said they were “urgently seeking information” and that their top concern is the safety and well-being of staff.
A Wider Conflict Unfolds
The raids come just days after Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa targeted senior Houthi officials. According to Houthi leadership, the group’s prime minister, Ghalib al-Rahawi, and several ministers were killed, though top military commanders, considered more influential, survived the strike.
Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, vowed retaliation in a fiery address:
“We will take revenge… to the Zionists, I say: dark days await you.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike and said it is preparing for “any possible scenario.”
Rising Risks for Aid in Yemen
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, already among the world’s worst, now faces another setback as international organizations weigh security risks. Health, food, and aid programs rely heavily on UN staff in Houthi-controlled areas, and their detention threatens to further disrupt lifesaving assistance.
Grundberg warned that Yemen “cannot afford to become a battleground for a broader geopolitical conflict.”