Houthi Rebellion Refuses to Release Detained UN Officials

The Iranian-backed Houthi group announced on Wednesday that they would not release at least 19 UN officials who were detained during an attack on Sunday. The Houthis allege that these officials were engaged in espionage against forces considered hostile, including the United States and Israel.

“It seems the United Nations and various regional bodies rushed to condemn the actions we’ve taken against these spies, who were involved in crimes targeting our prime minister and the new government,” stated the Houthi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Yet, strangely enough, they’ve been silent about the crimes committed against our state symbols and national institutions. This sets a dangerous precedent,” the ministry added.

Last Thursday, the Houthis reported that an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of “Prime Minister” Ahmed Al-Rahawi and other high-ranking officials in the capital, Sanaa.

It’s important to note that the Houthis are not recognized as a legitimate government; they seized control of Sanaa by force in 2014 and ousted Yemen’s internationally acknowledged government. Furthermore, there are taboos around comparing them to pirates or terrorist groups, especially considering the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the escalation in the Gaza region in 2023.

A Houthi official, Mohammed Al Buhaiti, claimed that the UN office they attacked was functioning as a “spy organization” for the U.S. and its allies, including “Zionist groups.” He asserted, “There is no immunity for spies working for those committing genocide in Gaza.”

Houthi representatives have maintained that they respect the 1946 UN Convention on Privilege and Immunity, but argue that these protections do not extend to espionage activities. “Those involved in spying aren’t safeguarded legally,” they insisted.

The UN, on Wednesday, reiterated calls for the “immediate and unconditional release” of their detained personnel. UN spokesperson Stephen Dujarric mentioned that UNICEF and the World Food Programme’s offices in Sanaa are still under Houthi control, and it has been reported that Houthi forces broke into the United Nations Development Programme’s offices following Sunday’s attack.

Initial reports suggested that 11 UN employees were detained, but Dujarric updated the figure to 19 during a press conference, noting that 18 are Yemeni nationals and one is an international staff member. “Our priority must be the safety and security of UN personnel and property—UN facilities should always be respected,” he stated.

In addition to their piracy at sea, the Houthis have launched missiles targeting Israel, with one reportedly aimed near Ben Gurion Airport. This missile, however, landed outside Israeli territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Thursday to respond decisively, promising a severe retaliation against the Houthis. “We will unleash the full extent of our might,” Katz declared.