Sana’a — Houthi militias have abducted a new United Nations staff member, Mamdouh Al-Kathiri, who works with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in a fresh escalation of their campaign against international humanitarian personnel operating in Yemen.

The abduction took place on Friday, just days after Houthi forces stormed the UNHCR office in the capital, Sana’a, seizing equipment and detaining multiple staff members. Al-Kathiri’s detention brings the total number of UN employees currently held by the Houthis to nearly 60, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

The United Nations has condemned the ongoing detentions, calling them arbitrary and in violation of international law. “These actions seriously undermine humanitarian operations and threaten the safety of aid workers,” Dujarric said, urging the Houthis to release all detained personnel immediately.

Rights organizations have also voiced alarm over the deteriorating conditions for humanitarian staff in Houthi-controlled areas, warning that such violations could jeopardize critical relief efforts for millions of Yemenis affected by the conflict.

The Houthis have yet to provide any legal justification for the detentions, which include both local and international staff from various UN agencies. Diplomatic efforts to secure their release remain ongoing, but progress has been limited.