United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Friday that the offices of several UN agencies will be moved to the interim Yemeni capital Aden and that except for life-saving assistance, dealings with the Iran-backed Houthis in areas held by the militants will be reduced to a minimum.

Guterres made the announcement during talks with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, and Council members Major General Aidaroos al-Zubaidi and Dr. Abdullah al-Alimi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Guterres underlined the UN’s commitment to working closely with the Presidential Leadership Council and the government in order to help the Yemeni people and achieve their aspirations for security, stability and peace, reported Yemen’s Saba news agency.

He said the relocation of offices to Aden is part of protective measures for humanitarian workers in Yemen.

The legitimate Yemeni government has for years called on the UN to relocate its work from Houthi-held Sanaa to Aden given the poor security in areas held by the militants. The move openly recognizes the Houthi failure in providing a secure environment for international organizations.

The Houthis have in recent months detained over 70 UN staff and air workers, resisting calls for their release.

Guterres and al-Alimi tackled the Houthi crackdown on civil society workers, diplomatic missions and UN staff.

They discussed the latest developments in Yemen. Al-Alimi praised the role of the UN and its Secretary-General, expressing gratitude for efforts aimed at easing the people’s suffering and achieving comprehensive and sustainable peace in the country.

He briefed Guterres on the complexities of the economic and humanitarian conditions, which were exacerbated by the attacks of the terrorist Houthi militias on oil facilities and shipping ships, reported Saba.

He called for exerting maximum pressure on the Houthis for the immediate release of all detainees.