Sana'a - New York: Europe and the Arabs
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of at least 11 UN staff members by the de facto Houthi authorities in areas under their control in Yemen on Sunday (August 31).
Guterres also condemned the storming of World Food Programme (WFP) premises and the confiscation of UN property, as well as attempts to storm other UN premises in Sana'a. In a statement issued today, Sunday, he said that the continuation of this pattern of arbitrary arrests is unacceptable.
He strongly reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained today, as well as for all staff members of the United Nations, international and national NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions arbitrarily detained since June 2024, and those still detained since 2021 and 2023. He emphasized that their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, the Secretary-General stressed that UN personnel and partners should never be targeted, arrested, or detained while carrying out their responsibilities to the United Nations. The safety and security of UN personnel and property, as well as the inviolability of UN premises, must be guaranteed at all times. He said that the United Nations will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe release of all those arbitrarily detained. The United Nations and its partners will also continue to stand with the Yemeni people in their aspirations for a lasting peace.
Warning of a Wider Conflict
In a related development, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said he is following with great concern the recent developments in Yemen, where areas under Ansar Allah control continue to be subjected to Israeli strikes following Ansar Allah attacks against Israel.
The Special Envoy reiterated that Yemen cannot become an arena for a wider geopolitical conflict, stressing the need for these attacks to stop. In a statement issued on Sunday, the UN envoy said he continues to call on all parties to use available diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation. He also expressed his deep concern over the civilian deaths and injuries resulting from recent Israeli attacks.
In addition, according to statements issued by Ansar Allah, these attacks have resulted in the deaths and injuries of several senior Ansar Allah officials and some political mediators.
The UN envoy called on all concerned parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, in line with their obligations under international law.