The Iran-backed Houthi militia has launched a "frenzied campaign" against United Nations employees and agencies in Sanaa and Hodeidah, abducting staff, imposing house arrest, and storming UN offices, according to a statement condemning the actions. The militia reportedly stormed the World Food Programme headquarters, abducting two employees and detaining others, and also abducted UNICEF security personnel. Information confirms that Houthi gunmen stormed offices of UN agencies in Sana'a, including the World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF, arresting several employees. A Yemeni source told the German news agency (DPA) that seven WFP employees and three from UNICEF were arrested in the raid. The Houthis continue to detain dozens of UN and international organization employees from previous arrests, in addition to the office of the UN envoy and foreign embassies. The statement decried these actions as grave violations and an extension of the militia's approach of persecuting humanitarian and relief workers, defying international humanitarian law. The source of the condemnation was not explicitly stated but referred to "repeated warnings" and called for the relocation of UN headquarters to Aden. These incidents follow reports of a new kidnapping wave carried out by the Houthi militia over the past three months. The condemning statement urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and called for immediate action to ensure UN personnel safety. It also urged the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries to designate the Houthi militia as a global terrorist organization and to cut off its funding sources.
