Yemen’s internationally recognized government on Saturday condemned the detention of 13 humanitarian workers in Sanaa, accusing the Houthi group of violating international humanitarian law and escalating the already dire humanitarian crisis. The detained individuals include staff from the United Nations, international, and local nongovernmental organizations.

The Yemeni Foreign Ministry described the arrests as a “flagrant violation” that jeopardizes the safety of humanitarian workers and hampers relief efforts in a country grappling with a prolonged conflict. The statement followed a UN decision to suspend all official movements in Houthi-controlled northern Yemen in response to the arrests.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the detentions as “unacceptable” and affirmed that efforts are underway to secure the release of the detainees. Seven additional UN staff members were reportedly detained by the Houthis prior to this incident.

The Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa since late 2014, have detained dozens of humanitarian workers in recent years. In June 2024, the group conducted a mass arrest of NGO and UN staff, claiming they were part of an alleged American-Israeli spy network linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency. The UN and international organizations have repeatedly called for the release of those detained.

The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of Sanaa and northern Yemen, displacing the internationally recognized government and triggering a conflict that has devastated the country. The UN estimates that more than 24 million people, or 80% of Yemen’s population, require humanitarian aid, while the war has led to widespread famine and disease outbreaks. The Houthis’ detentions of humanitarian workers have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, particularly as they obstruct efforts to provide relief to a population in desperate need.