The Houthis in Yemen have arrested dozens of employees from United Nations agencies and international humanitarian organizations, including women, in Sanaa and other cities.
The wave of arrests highlights a widespread crackdown by the group on humanitarian efforts, government and human rights sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On Thursday, the Houthis detained around 35 humanitarian workers in Sanaa, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Amran, and Saada.
The arrests are continuing, affecting over 15 staff members from UN offices, the US National Democratic Institute, and other international organizations.
The arrests of several UN and NGO employees were staged by the Houthi group’s Security and Intelligence Service.
The arrests include six workers from the UN Human Rights Office in Hajjah, Hodeidah, and Sanaa, three from the UN Humanitarian Affairs Office, and three from the US National Democratic Institute.
There are also reports of a UN Envoy’s office employee being detained in Sanaa.
Additionally, two workers from a local Yemeni organization were arrested, one of whom was stopped while traveling to Ibb with his family. Another detainee is an employee of the NGO Deep Root, along with his wife and children.
Activists and organization workers have also reported that some colleagues have gone missing. Those detained face torture and accusations of espionage, with possible death sentences if tried.
Houthi security forces reportedly raided the homes of humanitarian workers, searching their bedrooms, phones, relatives’ phones, and personal computers without revealing the charges.
Sources report that the Houthi group’s crackdown is ongoing, with efforts to locate and arrest former employees of specific UN and international organizations. The campaign has also targeted accounting firms working for these organizations.
In a similar crackdown in October 2021, the Houthis arrested local staff from the US Embassy in Yemen, with eleven still in detention. Houthi leaders have insinuated that the detainees were spies for the United States.
