Houthi Militants Attack UN Food and Children’s Agencies in Yemen, Holding Staff Member Hostage

On Sunday, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of the UN’s food and children’s agencies in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. They detained at least one employee, raising alarm about the safety of others working there, as UN officials lost contact with several staff members.

Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the World Food Program, called the detention of humanitarian workers “unacceptable.” This incident adds to a troubling pattern, as the Houthis have previously targeted UN personnel, resulting in dozens of detentions over the years.

Local media reported that in addition to the UN staff, the Houthis also abducted guards at UNICEF’s offices. Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for UNICEF, mentioned an “ongoing situation” but did not elaborate further.

This raid follows an Israeli airstrike that killed key Houthi leaders, including their prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi. The rebels have vowed to retaliate, intensifying their military operations against Israel and asserting their support for Hamas.

Abdel-Karim al-Houthi, the group’s leader, stated that their operations against Israel would continue to escalate. He confirmed that the group has already targeted important locations with missiles and drones since the recent conflict began in 2023.

Historically, the Houthis have had a tense relationship with the UN. In January, the UN had to suspend its core operations in Sanaa after the Houthis detained eight workers. This ongoing conflict has severely impacted humanitarian efforts in Yemen, a country already suffering from a dire crisis.

Data shows that as of early 2023, approximately 24 million people in Yemen require humanitarian assistance. The escalation of violence, like the recent raid, can only worsen this already critical situation.

With tensions rising, the international community closely watches these events. Understanding the complex dynamics between the Houthis, the UN, and the ongoing conflict with Israel is crucial for grasping the broader implications for stability in the region.

For more on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, you can refer to reports from the United Nations.

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