Houthi Rebels Detain Multiple Female UN Aid Workers in Yemen, Triggering Operational Suspension

Yemen's Houthi rebels have intensified their crackdown on the United Nations by detaining two more female World Food Programme workers in Sanaa, one of whom is in critical condition after a premature birth and the loss of her newborn. This escalation follows a series of raids on UN offices and homes of aid workers, with over 55 UN personnel currently held by the Houthis, who accuse them of spying without providing evidence—a claim strongly denied by the UN. The ongoing detentions and seizures of assets, including communications equipment, have forced the UN to suspend operations in northern Saada province and relocate its top humanitarian coordinator from Sanaa to Aden, the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government. The crackdown severely hampers humanitarian aid delivery to millions of civilians in the war-torn country and represents a serious breach of international humanitarian law. The situation is prompting the UN to reassess its mission and operational strategies amid increased risks to its staff and challenges to aid distribution. The crisis underscores the dangerous new phase in the Yemeni conflict with significant implications for international humanitarian efforts.