Houthi rebels raid UN facility in Yemen’s capital Sanaa

Sanaa: The United Nations confirmed on Saturday that all staff members were safe after Houthi forces raided one of its facilities in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The incident marks the latest confrontation between the rebel group and international agencies operating in the war-torn country.

Jean Alam, a spokesperson for the UN resident coordinator in Yemen, told the Associated Press that Houthi security forces entered the UN compound, where 15 international staff members were present. “According to the latest information, all staff in the compound are safe and accounted for and have contacted their families,” Alam said.

The United Nations said it was taking “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of its staff and was in contact with relevant authorities. The employees affected were from several UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

This is not the first such incident. On 31 August, Houthi forces raided UN offices in Sanaa and detained 19 employees, later releasing the deputy director of UNICEF’s Yemen office.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including Sanaa, have increasingly targeted international organisations and aid operations amid tensions with the international community and ongoing conflict with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The raid took place at a UN-operated building in Sanaa on Saturday morning. According to UN officials, armed Houthi personnel entered the compound without prior notice. The UN immediately activated its internal security protocol and confirmed the safety of 15 international staff members after communication was restored.

Jean Alam, speaking on behalf of the UN’s Yemen office, said the UN continues to coordinate with local authorities “to guarantee the safety and security of all personnel and property.”

Another UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the staff inside the compound represented multiple agencies, including the WFP, UNICEF, and OCHA. The source added that while no one was harmed, the raid has disrupted ongoing humanitarian coordination in Sanaa.

The August 31 incident, when the Houthis detained 19 UN employees, underscored the risks facing aid workers in Yemen. The UN has since called on the group to respect international law and ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel.

Yemen’s conflict, now in its tenth year, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 21 million people in need of assistance. The Houthis’ continued control over Sanaa and tensions with international agencies have complicated aid delivery across the country.
(With AP inputs)