The United Nations confirmed that the Houthi group Ansar Allah has vacated the UN Human Rights Commission office in Sanaa, nearly two weeks after they stormed and looted the premises.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that the Houthis returned control of the office to the UN Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen today.
The UN expressed deep concern for the safety of its staff, civil society members, national and international NGOs, diplomatic missions, and private sector entities that have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis for over two months.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated the necessity for the detainees to be treated with full respect for their human rights, including access to family and legal representatives.
The UN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.
The Houthi group had forcefully taken over the UN Human Rights Commission’s office in Sanaa on August 3, seizing documents and properties, and compelling local staff to surrender their belongings and office keys, according to the UN.
Additionally, in early June, the armed group initiated a widespread arrest campaign targeting dozens of UN staff and workers from both international and local NGOs, who have been denied contact with their families and legal representatives to this day.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the successful destruction of a Houthi drone in an area controlled by the group in Yemen.
Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, have been conducting drone and missile attacks on vessels they believe are connected to Israel or the United States since November, as a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
These assaults have prompted retaliatory actions from the US and the UK and have impacted global trade, causing ship operators to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal, opting instead for the longer route around Africa’s southern tip.
