Yemen: Houthis Raid UN Offices, Detain Staff Following Israeli Strike on Leadership

Sanaa, Yemen – In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday raided offices of United Nations food and children’s agencies in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, detaining at least 11 UN employees. This move comes as the Houthi-controlled capital faces heightened security following a recent Israeli airstrike that killed their prime minister and several cabinet members.

Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the World Food Program (WFP), confirmed that security forces conducted the raids on Sunday morning. WFP has strongly condemned the detentions, stating that the arbitrary detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable. UNICEF offices were also targeted, with a spokesperson acknowledging an ‘ongoing situation’ in Sanaa.

The detentions are the latest in a series of crackdowns by the Houthis against the UN and other international organizations operating in rebel-held areas of Yemen. Previous incidents include the detention of dozens of UN staffers and the suspension of UN operations in Saada earlier this year.

These raids directly follow an Israeli airstrike last Thursday, which targeted a government workshop in Sanaa, killing Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, Foreign Minister Gamal Amer, and at least five other ministers and a powerful deputy interior minister. The Houthis have confirmed a funeral for those killed is scheduled for Monday in Sanaa’s Sabeen Square.

The Israeli strike itself was a response to a Houthi ballistic missile attack on August 21st, which targeted central Israel and Jerusalem, forcing millions into shelters. The Houthis have vowed to escalate their attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping in retaliation for the recent strike and their ongoing support for Hamas in the Israel-Hamas war.

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