Houthi Crackdown on UN Staff and Aid Workers
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have stepped up their crackdown on UN staff and aid workers, detaining a total of 23 individuals, including seven who were taken just yesterday. In response, the United Nations has suspended all travel into areas controlled by the Houthis, citing concerns for the safety and security of its personnel. This move marks a significant escalation of tensions between the UN and the Houthi rebels, who have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015.
UN Secretary-General Condemns Arbitrary Detention
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the Houthis’ arbitrary detention of UN personnel and aid workers. Guterres emphasized that the continued targeting of UN staff and partners has made it increasingly difficult for the organization to provide aid to millions of people in need in Yemen. The UN Secretary-General’s statement highlights the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, where over 150,000 people have been killed, including civilians and fighters, and tens of thousands more have been displaced.
Escalating Crisis and Potential New Tensions
The recent detention of seven UN staff members has led to a suspension of all travel into Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis have not acknowledged the UN’s decision, which comes as they have attempted to de-escalate their attacks on shipping and Israel following a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the group has been running a campaign targeting those with Western ties for some time, airing programs on television channels they control, parading people they describe as working with Western intelligence agencies or the Israelis.
A History of Repression and Detention
The Houthis have a history of detaining UN staff and aid workers, including 16 Yemeni employees who were detained in June under unclear circumstances. Several dozen others from aid agencies and other organizations are also in detention. The UN has been actively engaging with senior representatives of the Houthis, who have held Yemen’s capital since 2014, in an effort to resolve the crisis. However, the continued detention of UN personnel and aid workers has made it increasingly difficult for the organization to operate in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Tensions
The war in Yemen has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, and the Houthis’ crackdown on UN staff and aid workers has only exacerbated the crisis. The group’s attacks on shipping during the Israel-Hamas war have also helped deflect attention from their problems at home. However, they have faced casualties and damage from US-led air strikes targeting the group for months. The situation remains volatile, with potential new tensions brewing in the region, particularly following US President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate a terrorism designation on the Houthis.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Voice Of Nigeria
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