Huthi Rebels Reportedly Abduct Several UN Workers
In a recent development, the Huthi rebels in Yemen have reportedly abducted at least ten UN workers. According to sources within the United Nations, the rebels took the men and women in various provinces of the country.
It has been reported that the Huthi rebels in Yemen have abducted several United Nations workers. Twelve employees were reportedly taken by the militia in different provinces, including the capital city of Sanaa.
The individuals taken include both men and women, and their identities remain unknown at this time. They are believed to have worked for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Official representatives from the United Nations have not yet commented on the situation.
Additionally, the Yemeni human rights organization Majjun has reported that at least 18 people, including Yemeni employees of aid organizations, have been abducted. The organization believes that ten of the 18 individuals taken are UN workers.
The NGO has condemned the abductions as a „serious escalation“ and „blackmail tactics“ by the Islamists to gain political and economic advantages. The actions of the Islamist militia undermine crucial humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where the majority of the population lacks adequate access to basic necessities such as food and water, according to Niku Jafarnia from Human Rights Watch.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the Huthi rebels have been engaged in a civil war with the internationally recognized government since 2014. The militia, allied with Iran, has controlled the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and significant parts of the north of the country. A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been fighting on behalf of the government forces since 2015.
The conflict in the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula is considered one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, according to UN reports, with over two-thirds of the population reliant on aid.
The Huthis have a history of abducting and mistreating civilians, including UN and NGO workers, since the onset of the conflict in Yemen. Last year, Save the Children temporarily suspended operations in the north of the country following the death of one of its staff members in Sanaa.
Furthermore, since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, the Huthi rebels have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea. The militia claims to be allied with the militant Islamist group Hamas and seeks to end Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. In response, the US and UK have conducted multiple strikes against Huthi positions.