Sana’a – The United Nations has confirmed that at least 73 of its personnel are currently being held by Houthi authorities in Yemen, following a series of raids targeting UN compounds and affiliated facilities in the capital, Sana’a. This marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing detentions of humanitarian and diplomatic staff in the war-torn country.

According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the latest incident occurred on October 18, when armed Houthi forces stormed a UN compound in the Hada district, detaining 20 staff members—15 of them international employees and 5 Yemeni nationals. While some were later released, 53 locally recruited UN staff remain in arbitrary detention at undisclosed locations, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being.

The detained personnel include representatives from multiple UN agencies, including UNICEF, whose country representative, British national Peter Hawkins, is reportedly among those held. The UN has condemned the detentions as violations of international law and diplomatic norms, urging the Houthis to release all staff without delay.

“These actions undermine humanitarian operations and violate the protections afforded to UN personnel under international conventions,” said Jean Alam, spokesperson for the UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen. “We are deeply concerned for the safety of our colleagues and demand their immediate and unconditional release.”

The detentions come amid heightened tensions in Yemen, where the conflict between Houthi forces and the internationally recognized government continues to fuel a humanitarian crisis. The UN has warned that interference with aid operations could further jeopardize the delivery of life-saving assistance to millions of Yemenis.

As of today, the total number of UN staff detained by Houthi authorities stands at 73, making it one of the most significant mass detentions of international personnel in recent years. Diplomatic efforts are underway to secure their release, but progress remains uncertain.