UN halts all missions to Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen following detention of seven additional personnel.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — On Friday, the United Nations announced a halt to all travel into regions controlled by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, following the detention of seven additional U.N. staff members by the rebels.

The Houthis have previously arrested U.N. personnel, as well as individuals connected to the now-defunct U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, which is Yemen’s capital, along with members of various aid organizations and civil advocates.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vehemently called for the immediate and unconditional release of the seven detained staff members, along with all other U.N. workers currently held by the Houthis, some of whom have been in custody since 2021.

“The de facto authorities in Sanaa have taken additional U.N. personnel working in areas under their control,” stated the U.N. in an official statement. “In order to safeguard the security and safety of all personnel, the United Nations has suspended all official operations into and throughout areas governed by the de facto authorities.”

Prior to Friday’s announcement, the U.N. had already recorded that 16 of its Yemeni staff were under Houthi detention. After confirming the capture of seven more personnel, the U.N. ceased its aid operations, which provide essential food, medical supplies, and other forms of assistance to the beleaguered nation.

In June, the U.N. revealed that 11 Yemeni employees were detained by the Houthis in ambiguous situations, as the rebels have increasingly intensified their crackdowns in regions under their jurisdiction. Other organizations and humanitarian agencies have also reported several dozen personnel are being held.

The U.N. highlighted its commitment to “actively engaging with senior representatives” of the Houthis, who have maintained control over Yemen’s capital since 2014. The Iranian-supported rebels have been embroiled in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore Yemen’s exiled government since 2015.

Guterres expressed on Friday that “the ongoing arbitrary detention is intolerable.”

“The continuous targeting of U.N. personnel and its partners severely hampers our capacity to assist millions in need across Yemen,” he cautioned in a statement. “The Houthis are urged to fulfill their prior commitments and focus on the welfare of the Yemeni populace, as well as the broader objectives for peace in Yemen.”

The Houthis did not respond to the U.N. decision, which occurred amid their attempts to deescalate attacks on maritime activities and on Israel, following a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated a move to reinstate a terrorism designation against the Houthis, a designation revoked by President Joe Biden, thereby potentially escalating tensions between the U.S. and the rebel group. It remains unclear to what extent the Houthis regard the U.N. detentions as connected to this U.S. decision.

Earlier in the week, the Houthis expressed a willingness to reduce their aggression against vessels in the Red Sea and released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a ship they had seized in November 2023.

Nonetheless, the Houthis have maintained a campaign targeting individuals linked to Western entities. They have been showcasing on their controlled media platforms individuals they allege have associations with Western intelligence or Israeli organizations.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in over 150,000 deaths, encompassing both combatants and civilians, and has led to one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian crises, claiming countless additional lives.

While their response during the Israel-Hamas conflict has shifted attention away from domestic challenges, the Houthis have endured injuries and damage from U.S.-led airstrikes aimed at them over several months, alongside attacks from Israel.

Thousands have been imprisoned by the Houthis amid the warfare. Reports have surfaced about detainees facing brutal treatment, including acid burns, prolonged hanging from their wrists, and severe beatings. The Houthis have also been accused of deploying child soldiers and carelessly placing landmines throughout the war.