Aden- 

The U.S. Embassy to Yemen issued a strongly worded statement today, Friday, June 6, 2025, condemning the continued detention of innocent Yemeni civilians by the Houthi militia. Among those detained are employees of diplomatic missions, NGOs, and United Nations agencies—some of whom have been held since 2021.

The embassy emphasized that these individuals have committed no crimes, noting that their work was focused on supporting their families and serving their communities. The statement described the detentions as a flagrant violation of human rights and international law.

The embassy also pointed out that the Houthis are intimidating the families of detainees in an effort to silence them, preventing them from speaking publicly, sharing photos, or advocating for their loved ones. This campaign of fear effectively hides the plight of these innocent Yemenis from public view.

The U.S. Embassy renewed its urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained civilians. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing diplomatic efforts to secure their freedom and ensure their safety and dignity.

This condemnation follows recent reports by human rights organizations indicating that, since May 2024, the Houthi militia has arbitrarily arrested and forcibly disappeared dozens of UN and NGO workers without trial or disclosure of their whereabouts—acts that constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law.

Such actions significantly hinder the international community’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people, who are suffering from a severe and ongoing humanitarian crisis due to the protracted conflict in the country.