Sana'a, Yemen – August 31, 2025 – Iran-backed Houthi rebels raided offices of multiple United Nations agencies in Sana'a on Friday, detaining at least 11 UN employees. The operation, which targeted organizations including the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, follows the assassination of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several cabinet members in an Israeli airstrike on August 28, 2025.
The detentions represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and have drawn strong condemnation from the international community. UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the forced entry into UN premises and demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all detained personnel. The World Food Programme confirmed its Sana'a offices were breached by local security forces, resulting in the detention of one staff member, with additional reports of detentions affecting other UN operations.
The European Union echoed these sentiments, calling for the swift release of all UN and NGO staff. The bloc emphasized that such actions severely jeopardize the critical humanitarian assistance desperately needed by the Yemeni population. The Houthi actions are part of a broader pattern of crackdowns against international organizations operating in rebel-controlled territories.
This incident is not unprecedented. The UN had previously suspended activities in Houthi-controlled areas due to security concerns. In February 2025, operations were suspended in the Saada governorate after eight UN employees were detained in January. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, with over half the population requiring assistance, and these latest detentions are expected to further exacerbate the crisis.
The events raise critical questions regarding the Houthis' motivations for targeting UN offices and staff, the specific reasons behind the detentions, and the potential ramifications for ongoing humanitarian operations. The international community's response underscores the gravity of these actions and the precariousness of delivering aid in a conflict-ridden environment, highlighting the complex interplay of regional conflicts and their direct impact on humanitarian efforts and the safety of aid workers.