New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his “deep concern” over the continued arbitrary detention of 59 UN employees in Yemen by Houthi authorities, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement issued today, Guterres condemned the ongoing detention as a grave violation of international norms and underscored the urgent need to safeguard humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones. 

He stressed that the safety and freedom of UN personnel are essential for the organization’s ability to deliver life-saving assistance to millions of Yemenis affected by war and humanitarian crisis.

“The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the prolonged detention of United Nations staff in Yemen and demands their immediate and unconditional release,” the statement read. 

He further urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of aid workers.

The incident has heightened concerns over the operating environment for humanitarian agencies in Yemen, where escalating restrictions and security risks continue to undermine relief efforts in one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.