On Saturday, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels conducted a raid on a United Nations facility in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, according to a U.N. spokesperson. Fortunately, all international staff members present during the incident were reported to be safe and accounted for. Jean Alam, the spokesman for the U.N. resident coordinator for Yemen, noted that at the time of the raid, there were 15 international U.N. personnel in the compound, and they have successfully contacted their families.
This raid marks a concerning development in a series of ongoing Houthi crackdowns on international organizations operating within rebel-held territories of Yemen. Previously, on August 31, the Houthis invaded U.N. offices in Sanaa, detaining 19 employees. Subsequently, the rebels released the deputy director of the UNICEF office in Yemen, but they continue to hold more than 50 individuals, which includes numerous people associated with humanitarian aid groups and civil society, as well as personnel from the now-closed U.S. Embassy in Sanaa.
In light of the Saturday incident, Alam stated that the United Nations is taking all necessary precautions and is actively communicating with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of all personnel and property within the compound. According to an anonymous U.N. official, the building is managed by the U.N., housing employees from several agencies, including the World Food Program, UNICEF, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The Houthi raid on Saturday represents the latest escalation in a larger campaign against the U.N. and other humanitarian organizations providing aid in Yemen. Earlier this year, the situation compelled the U.N. to suspend operations in Saada province, a Houthi stronghold, following the detention of eight staff members in January. Additionally, the U.N. had to relocate its senior humanitarian coordinator in Yemen from Sanaa to Aden, the coastal city serving as the temporary seat for the internationally recognized government.
The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis took control of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting the legitimate government to flee into exile. A coalition led by Saudi Arabia, which includes the United Arab Emirates, intervened in 2015 with the aim of restoring the exiled government. Over the years, the conflict has reached a stalemate, although the rebels recently brokered an agreement with Saudi Arabia to halt their attacks on the kingdom in exchange for a cessation of Saudi-led airstrikes on Houthi territories.
This latest raid illustrates the ongoing tension and instability in the region, significantly impacting the operations of humanitarian organizations striving to provide essential aid to the Yemeni population amidst a protracted civil war. As the situation develops, the safety of international personnel remains a critical concern, underscoring the precarious nature of humanitarian work in conflict zones.
