United Nations Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres has issued a forceful condemnation following the detention of at least 11 United Nations personnel by Houthi authorities in Yemen. The detentions, which took place in Sanaa and Hodeidah on Sunday, bring the total number of UN staff held in northern Yemen to 34.
In a sharply worded statement, Guterres denounced the &ldquo;arbitrary detentions&rdquo; and expressed outrage over the forced entry into World Food Programme offices, the confiscation of UN property, and attempts to breach other UN premises in the capital.
&ldquo;The continued arbitrary detention of all such persons is intolerable,&rdquo; he said, demanding the &ldquo;immediate and unconditional release&rdquo; of all detained staff, as well as members of non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions who have been held since 2021, 2023, and June 2024.
Guterres emphasized that UN and humanitarian workers must never be targeted while performing their duties. &ldquo;The safety and security of UN personnel and property as well as the inviolability of UN premises must be guaranteed at all times,&rdquo; he stressed, adding that the organization &ldquo;will continue to work tirelessly&rdquo; for the safe release of all detainees.
The crisis escalates amid heightened tensions in Yemen, following Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa last week that reportedly killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Houthi-backed government&rsquo;s prime minister, and several ministers. The Houthis have vowed retaliation, with their leadership warning that Israel &ldquo;should await dark days.&rdquo;
As Yemen&rsquo;s humanitarian crisis deepens, the detentions raise urgent concerns about the safety of aid workers and the delivery of life-saving assistance to millions in need.

UN Chief Demands Houthis Free Detained UN Staff

Antonio Guterres slams Houthi detentions, calls for safety of UN personnel and property

UN Chief Demands Houthis Free Detained UN Staff

Antonio Guterres slams Houthi detentions, calls for safety of UN personnel and property

September 1, 2025 | 15:07 IST