UN Offices in Sanaa Attacked by Houthis
In a series of events that have raised concerns worldwide, the United Nations (UN) and its affiliated agencies have faced challenges in Yemen. On August 31, 2021, offices of the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF in Sanaa were stormed by the Houthi militia, leading to the detention of at least eleven UN staff members.
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, strongly condemned these arbitrary arrests and urged the Houthis to release all UN staff, as well as those from national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), immediately and unconditionally. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the detention and demanded the immediate release of the detained personnel.
The Houthis, led by Mahdi al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council, have threatened Israel with "dark days" following the death of Yemen's Prime Minister Ahmed Haneef Rahavi. Rahavi was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sanaa on August 28 during a meeting of Houthi government members. His deputy, Mohammed Miftah, took over as head of the Yemeni government following his death.
The Israeli Defense Forces reportedly struck Sanaa in response to the Houthis using cluster munitions in an attack on the country. The Houthis have confirmed Rahavi's death, and the Times of Israel reported the incident.
The WFP and UNICEF representatives have noted that the agencies are conducting a "comprehensive count" of their staff in Sanaa and other areas controlled by the Houthis. Contact has been lost with several WFP and UNICEF staff, likely due to their detention. A UNICEF representative confirmed the detention of several staff and said the organization is seeking more information from the Houthis.
Furthermore, security forces conducted searches in the offices of the WHO and UNICEF and questioned staff on the premises. The UN representative reported these incidents, and Grundberg also condemned the forced entry into UN premises and seizure of UN property.
In response to the ongoing situation, Mahdi al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthis, advised all companies with representations in Yemen to "leave while they can".
These developments in Yemen are a cause for concern for the international community, and the UN continues to work towards ensuring the safety and release of its staff and the restoration of peace in the region.
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