UN chief condemns detention of 11 more UN staffers in Yemen

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the detention of at least 11 more United Nations personnel by Houthi authorities in Yemen, according to a statement on Sunday.

"I strongly condemn the arbitrary detentions on 31 August of at least 11 United Nations personnel by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen in areas under their control. I further condemn the forced entry into the premises of the World Food Programme, the seizure of UN property, and attempts to enter other UN premises in Sana'a," Guterres said in a statement.

Guterres reiterated his call for the release of all UN and humanitarian staff arbitrarily detained in the country, including those held since 2021 and 2023.

"The continued arbitrary detention of all such persons is intolerable," Guterres stressed, underscoring that UN staff "must never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their duties."