Iran-backed Houthis militias abducted at least 15 Yemeni employees of the United Nations (UN) and other international agencies on June 7, Associated Press reported.
The militias detained nine employees of UN agencies, three from the US-funded pro-democracy group National Democratic Institute, and three employees of a local human rights group, Reuters reported, citing information from officials in Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
They also raided the homes and offices of the detainees and confiscated phones and computers, the reports added.
The AP confirmed the reports, citing regional officials stating that the UN staffers detained, all of whom are Yemeni citizens, worked for the “UN human rights agency, its development program, the World Food Programme and one working for the office of its special envoy.”
The officials told AP that the wife of one of the staffers was detained as well. Most of the agencies have not yet publicly commented on the detentions. Save the Children, a non-governmental organization, told AP that it was “concerned about the whereabouts of one of our staff members in Yemen and doing everything we can to ensure his safety and well-being.”
Since 2015, the Houthi-Iran relationship has evolved and strengthened, enabling the militias to effectively threaten the Yemeni government, the broader Middle East, Europe and the US.
