Sana'a -- Houthi Militia in Yemen have released 20 United Nations staff members who were detained during a weekend raid on a UN compound in the capital, Sanaa. The group included five Yemeni nationals and fifteen international personnel, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

Details of the Incident

- The detentions occurred on Saturday, October 18, when armed Houthi forces entered the UN compound in the Hada district of Sanaa.

- Staff were reportedly confined to their rooms, and communication equipment—including phones, computers, and servers—was confiscated.

- The raid is part of a broader crackdown by the Iran-backed Houthis on international organizations operating in rebel-held areas of Yemen, including Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Saada.

UN Response and Current Status

- The UN confirmed that the five Yemeni staff were released, while the 15 international staff are now free to move within the compound.

- However, they remain unable to leave the premises, and the UN is actively negotiating for their full release.

- UN officials expressed concern over the safety of 53 other locally recruited staff who remain arbitrarily detained at undisclosed locations in Yemen.

Background and Implications

- The Houthis have previously accused UN personnel and other foreign NGOs of espionage, though no evidence has been presented to support these claims.

- The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the de facto Houthi authorities and international humanitarian agencies, which continue to operate under challenging conditions in Yemen’s conflict zones.

UN officials reiterated their call for unhindered access to humanitarian facilities and the immediate release of all detained personnel. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts underway to resolve the crisis and restore full operational control to the UN in Sanaa.