In brief
A total of 24 U.N. staff have been detained, leading to a suspension of much-needed aid to millions in Yemen.
The United Nations recently announced the suspension of its humanitarian operations in a significant portion of northern Yemen controlled by the Houthis. This decision comes after the detention of more U.N. staff, raising the total since 2021 to 24. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres made the announcement due to the challenging and unsafe conditions for aid workers. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been criticized for arbitrary detentions, claiming that the arrested individuals face vague charges related to espionage. In December, an agreement was formed to cease these detentions, but the situation escalated with eight more arrests just weeks later. The U.N. emphasized the need for personnel safety and has halted all travel to areas governed by the Houthis. This suspension impacts a nation already facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, where approximately 80% of the population, over 24 million people, require urgent aid.
