On Sunday, offices of national food and children’s organizations in Yemen’s capital faced an attack from Iran-backed Houthi rebel groups, resulting in the detention of at least one employee, as reported by officials.
The group’s security forces raided the World Food Program and UNICEF offices in Sanaa, leading to a loss of communication with some UN staff and raising concerns about further detentions.
“The arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel is completely unacceptable,” said Abia Etefa, spokesperson for the World Food Program, in comments to the Associated Press.
Moamar Al-Eliani, Yemen’s information minister representing the unsupported government, mentioned that Houthis have also accused security guards at UNICEF’s offices. UNICEF spokesperson Ammar Ammar acknowledged ongoing challenges in Sanaa but did not elaborate further.
This attack occurs amid heightened security actions by Houthis in the capital, likely in response to recent Israeli airstrikes that killed rebel leaders, including prime minister Ahmed al-Rahawi.
In retaliation for the airstrikes, Houthis have threatened to escalate attacks, particularly targeting locations where the minister was involved in business assessments.
Rebel groups have a history of targeting UN agencies, having detained numerous humanitarian workers associated with the now-closed US embassy in Sanaa. Major UN operations were paused in January after eight staff members were detained.
Since the onset of the conflict with Hamas in 2023, Houthis have intensified their strikes on Israel, even launching their first cluster bomb in two years this month, aimed at Ben Gurion airport.
Moreover, the rebel factions have stated they will continue their assaults on Israeli merchant vessels in the Red Sea to express solidarity with Hamas.
“Our military operations against Israeli adversaries, whether through missiles, drones, or naval blockades, will persist and escalate,” declared Abdel Karim Al-Houthi, the group’s secret leader, during a televised address on Sunday.
