The United Nations has suspended its operations in Yemen’s Sa’ada governorate, a region controlled by the Houthi movement, due to escalating security concerns. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the decision on Monday following the detention of eight additional UN staff members by Houthi authorities.
“In the absence of the necessary security conditions and guarantees, we have paused all operations and programs in Sa’ada,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized that the safety of UN personnel is paramount and that the measure seeks to balance the need to deliver aid with ensuring staff security.
The detained UN personnel include six individuals working directly in Sa’ada governorate. The United Nations is urging the Houthis to release all arbitrarily detained staff and to establish conditions that enable the delivery of critical humanitarian support guided by impartiality, neutrality, independence, and humanity.
The suspension aims to provide time for negotiations and to ensure that UN efforts remain effective and sustainable. Despite the pause in operations, the UN reiterated its commitment to assisting the millions of people in need across Yemen.
The Houthis, who have controlled much of northern Yemen since late 2014, including the capital Sanaa, have previously detained UN and humanitarian workers. In past incidents, they claimed that detainees were part of foreign spy networks.
Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis took control, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions are in dire need of assistance, making the UN’s role in providing aid crucial.
