On Sunday, October 19th, approximately two dozen United Nations (UN) personnel were detained inside a UN facility in Sanaa, Yemen, by the Houthi armed group. The rebels' decision to confiscate crucial communications equipment is one of the most critical parts of the abduction. While 11 of them were later released after being questioned, the rest of the workers are still being held.
The hostages belong to several humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Among the World Food Program (WFP) employees, there were two women, one of whom was in critical condition following the death of her baby who was born prematurely.
UN staff were targeted because the rebels have repeatedly alleged UN workers as spies, without any evidence. However, the UN has firmly denied such accusations.
As a direct result of this, the United Nations is currently in contact with the Houthis and other relevant parties, working to end the detention of all its personnel and restore full control over its facilities in Sanaa.
This recent event is part of a larger crackdown, including the prior suspension of operations in Saada province and the relocation of its top humanitarian coordinator to Aden, the seat of the officially recognised government.
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by Ylenia Bobbo
