Sanaa – Yemen’s Houthi militia has intensified its campaign of abductions and enforced disappearances, reportedly detaining prominent peace advocate Dr. Hammoud al-Awdi along with activists Anwar Khaled and Abdulrahman al-Alfi in the capital, Sanaa. 

The arrests mark a troubling escalation in the group’s crackdown on civil society voices and reconciliation efforts.

According to local sources and rights monitors, the three men were seized in separate raids over the past week. Dr. al-Awdi, widely respected for his work promoting dialogue and national unity, was reportedly taken from his home without a warrant. Khaled and al-Alfi, known for their civic engagement and criticism of repression, were also abducted under unclear circumstances.

Families of the detainees say they have received no official information about their whereabouts or legal status, raising fears of prolonged incommunicado detention and mistreatment. 

Human rights organizations have condemned the arrests as part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting academics, journalists, and activists in Houthi-controlled areas.

“These abductions reflect a systematic effort to silence peaceful dissent and undermine reconciliation,” said a regional rights advocate. “The international community must press for accountability and the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained.”

The Houthis have not issued any public statements regarding the arrests. The group has previously denied allegations of abuse, despite mounting evidence of arbitrary detention, torture, and suppression of free expression.

The latest detentions come amid heightened tensions and renewed calls for inclusive peace talks. Observers warn that such repressive tactics threaten to derail efforts toward national reconciliation and deepen societal divisions.