Houthi supporters in Sanaa, Yemen. The rebel group has been asked to do 'the right thing' and free aid workers from custody. EPA
Houthi supporters in Sanaa, Yemen. The rebel group has been asked to do 'the right thing' and free aid workers from custody. EPA
Houthi supporters in Sanaa, Yemen. The rebel group has been asked to do 'the right thing' and free aid workers from custody. EPA
Houthi supporters in Sanaa, Yemen. The rebel group has been asked to do 'the right thing' and free aid workers from custody. EPA

UN calls for release of all aid workers detained by Yemen's Houthis


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

The UN's special envoy to Yemen on Thursday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN, civil society and NGO workers held by the Houthi rebels.

Hans Grundberg told the Security Council: “This includes United Nations personnel, members of civil society, staff of diplomatic missions, private sector employees and individuals from minority religious communities.”

In June, the Houthis detained more than 60 people working with the UN and other organizations, according to the UN Human Rights Office. Days later, the Houthis said they had arrested members of what they called an “American-Israeli spy network.”

Mr Grundberg warned that detentions are shrinking civic space and negatively affecting humanitarian efforts critical for Yemenis. He called on the Houthis to do “the right thing”.

“The continued detention of these individuals is a profound injustice to those who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of Yemen,” he said. “Release those detained immediately and unconditionally, and refrain from any further arbitrary detentions.”

Joyce Msuya, a senior UN aid official, said the UN was continuing with diplomatic efforts with the Houthi de facto authorities and other interlocutors.

She told the 15 member Security Council that the world body has taken steps “to minimize the exposure of staff to risk in Houthi-controlled areas.”

The UN has narrowed its focus to “essential lifesaving and life-sustaining activities,” she said, and is deprioritising broader activities to develop the Arab world’s poorest nation.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood called out the Iran-backed group for the “shameless propaganda” put forth in an attempt to justify holding UN and other personnel.

“The Houthis continue to not only mistreat these detainees, but also seek to exploit them through the release of so-called confession videos,” he said. The Houthis have claimed those in custody are spies.

Mr Wood said it was time for the UN to adjust its non-life-saving programming and operations in Yemen to ensure the safety and security of all personnel.

Ms Msuya warned the humanitarian situation in Yemen was “steadily deteriorating” and said a “historically high” 62 per cent of surveyed households reported they do not have enough food.

“For the first time on record, three districts – two in Hodeidah and one in Taiz – are facing extremely critical levels of malnutrition ... four more districts are projected to reach this level by October,” she said.

“By the end of 2024, more than 600,000 children in government-of-Yemen-controlled areas are estimated to be acutely malnourished, and around 118,000 are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition – a 34 per cent increase since 2023.”

The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014, when they took control of the capital Sanaa and most of the north.

The war in Yemen has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

FIGHT INFO

Men’s 60kg Round 1:

Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points 
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1

Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Updated: September 12, 2024, 6:59 PM`