According to Human Rights Watch, the Iran-backed Houthis aren’t only arbitrarily detaining UN staffers (and civilians), they’ve also been torturing them since the beginning of Yemen’s conflict in 2014. Houthi media campaigns accuse humanitarian organizations of “conspiring against the country’s interests through their projects.”
The Houthis have also now threatened to resume attacks on Israel if the Gaza ceasefire is broken. One hopes that it’s only a matter of time before Israel disables the Houthis, as they have Hizballah and Hamas, with the full backing of Trump. As Iranian proxies dwindle, Iran becomes more exposed and vulnerable.
“UN suspends its humanitarian work in Houthi rebels’ stronghold in Yemen after more staff abductions,” Associated Press, February 10, 2025:
In a statement, the U.N. said the “extraordinary” decision to pause all operations and programs in northern Saada province was due to lack of “necessary security conditions and guarantees.”
The rebels in recent months have detained dozens of U.N. staffers, as well as people associated with aid groups, civil society and the once-open U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
A spokesman for the Houthis didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
The U.N. statement said the pause in operations is meant to give the Houthis and the world body time to “arrange the release of arbitrarily detained U.N. personnel and ensure that the necessary conditions are in place to deliver critical humanitarian support” in rebel-held areas.
It said the latest detained U.N. staffers included six working in Saada, on Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia, impacting the U.N.’s ability to operate.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Shouldn’t the UN personnel insist on persisting w/ their humanitarian mission in Yemen, just like they do in Gaza? Just like they pressure Israel, they should put similar pressure on the Yemeni government in Aden 😈
They won’t, b’cos they know how they’d react
Yabbadabadoo says
The Houthis have been taking “hostages” since 2014?? Are the hostages still alive and uninjured? How many over this 10+ year period have been taken? Basically, what the hell is going on over there besides a war??
rick says
What evidence is there of torture of UN people by the Houthis? I do not see that in the above piece. If true how is the UN going to handle this? A “friend” of the world wide united anti-Israel group torturing representatives of the foremost international organization devoted to harming Israel. Maybe the idiot who is General Secretariat of the UN could send a message to the Houthis saying “Please stop. We are on the same side on this issue”. Or ask advice of the Houthis as to what more the UN can do against Israel?
Get in bed with Islamists who are at war with Israel and expect to be harmed yourself. They are not to be trusted.
abu taleb says
> What evidence is there of torture of UN people by the Houthis?
Check the Human RIght Watch link provided above to see that it reports the torture.
Is there any case that Islamists do not torture their prisoners who are considered as their enemies? I believe there is none.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Yeah, which liars do I trust: the UN or the Houthis? Tough call!
Princess says
I assume these are local and not foreign (western to be more precise) UN staff? Why am I assuming this? Because the outrage isn’t big, apparently.