Two United Nations (UN) officials have renewed their calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff, NGO workers, and civil society members arbitrarily detained by Houthi forces in Sanaa.
During a session held by the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Yemen, concerns were raised about the escalating regional conflict’s impact on Yemen’s population and its ongoing humanitarian crisis.
UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, detailed the concerning rise in military escalations in the Middle East, which he stated had been intensifying over the past year and now threatens to spiral out of control.
Grundberg highlighted that Yemen is increasingly being drawn into this wider conflict, jeopardizing its prospects for peace and stability.
He noted that the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) continues to attack international shipping and has made several attempts to target Israel with missiles and drones. In response, US-led airstrikes have targeted attacks on civilian maritime shipping, along with Israeli strikes on Hodeidah.
Grundberg emphasized that this cycle of retaliation is deepening Yemen’s involvement in the regional conflict, detracting from the urgent need to address Yemen’s internal crisis.
He also affirmed that the Yemenis see their space for meaningful participation and peacebuilding under attack, with arbitrary arrests, threats of murder, and intimidation, especially in areas controlled by the Houthis.
The UN envoy called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, including 17 UN staff members, four of whom are women and one a member of his team.
He urged an end to the campaign of arrests and highlighted the need to focus on making peace a reality.
He noted that the necessary tools and commitments for establishing a roadmap, including a nationwide ceasefire, addressing humanitarian and economic needs, and preparing for an inclusive political process, are in place.
Grundberg also pointed to a relative calm on the military front and explained that they have identified economic cooperation options technically and are working to convince parties that economic collaboration is the only way to achieve economic feasibility and stability.
Despite the broader regional conflict, he stressed that peace in Yemen remains achievable and must continue to be pursued.
Acting Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of UN staff, NGO workers, and civil society members detained by the Houthis since June of this year, as well as colleagues detained in 2021 and 2023.
She highlighted that these arrests reflect an increasing and unacceptable pattern of attacks against humanitarian workers throughout the region.
Thanks to ongoing advocacy, most detained UN staff have been able to contact their families or relatives, and those in need of health care have received it.
Msuya mentioned that 2024 represents the deadliest year for migrants crossing the sea between the Horn of Africa and Yemen.
She expressed severe concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen amid the rapidly worsening conditions across the Middle East.
The official was particularly disturbed by the ongoing attacks launched from and against Yemen, damaging vital infrastructure, including energy facilities and ports in Hodeidah and Ras Isa.
She noted that the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate in scale and intensity, with hunger rising and cholera spreading, reporting over 203,000 suspected cases since last March, resulting in more than 720 deaths, with women and girls making up 53% of the cases.
