The United Nations announced the suspension of all official staff movements in areas under Houthi control until further notice, following the detention of additional UN employees by the group.

 

In a statement on its website, the UN reported that the Houthis had detained more of its staff yesterday in territories under their control.

 

The organization stated that it is in communication with Houthi authorities, demanding the unconditional release of all detained UN employees and their partners.

 

These actions by the Houthis against UN staff appear to be the first response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to designate the group as a terrorist organization.

 

The Houthis have previously detained numerous UN employees working in various UN programs and international organizations in cities under their control.

 

Additionally, the group has detained Yemeni employees working for foreign embassies and humanitarian organizations, accusing them of various charges, including collaborating with the U.S. and Israel.

 

These measures are part of the Houthis’ broader strategy to exert pressure on international organizations, including the UN, to ease U.S. restrictions on the group.

 

Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sana’a called on international organizations to condemn the U.S. decision, which it described as punitive for its pro-Palestinian stance, according to the group’s media outlets.