UN Security Council marks 2 years of Houthi detentions, demands immediate release of 73 UN staff
NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council on Friday condemned in the strongest terms the continuing detention of scores of humanitarian workers, UN personnel and civil society representatives by the Houthis in Yemen.
It came as the second anniversary of mass arrests in June 2024 approaches with no resolution in sight.
The 15-member body renewed its demand for the unconditional, safe and immediate release of all those held, including 73 UN personnel detained during several waves of arrests over the past four years, and expressed deep concern for their welfare.
“All threats to those delivering humanitarian assistance are unacceptable,” the council said, warning that the detentions were worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in a country where more than 22.3 million people now require assistance.
The Houthis launched their most sweeping crackdown on May 31, 2024, raiding offices and detaining personnel from UN agencies, international and national nongovernmental and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions throughout areas under their control.
Further arrests followed in January and August 2025, with the cumulative toll leaving dozens behind bars without charge, lacking access to lawyers and cut off from their families.
The Council reiterated the obligations under international humanitarian law of all parties involved in conflicts to allow full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to detainees, and to guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel.
Members warned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen would continue to deteriorate in the absence of a political solution to the conflict, and reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country.
They expressed continued support for the UN’s special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and his efforts to broker an inclusive, Yemeni-led political settlement consistent with agreed references and relevant Security Council resolutions.
