The Secretary -General condemns the detention of more United Nations employees in Yemen and demands an immediate release of them

Guterres also condemned the storming of the World Food Program buildings and the confiscation of United Nations property, as well as attempts to storm other United Nations buildings in Sanaa. He said in a statement issued today, Sunday, that the continuation of this pattern of arbitrary arrests is unacceptable.

He strongly repeated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees today, as well as for all United Nations employees, international and national NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions who have been arbitrary since June 2024, and those who have been detained since 2021 and 2023. He stressed that their continued arbitrary detention is not accepted.

The Secretary -General stressed that the United Nations employees and its partners should not be targeted or being arrested or detention at all while performing their responsibilities towards the United Nations. The safety and security of the United Nations employees and its properties must also be guaranteed, as well as the sanctity of the United Nations headquarters, at all times.

He said that the United Nations will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe release of all detainees. The United Nations and its partners will continue to stand by the Yemeni people in their aspirations to a permanent peace.

Warning of wider struggle

On the relevant level, the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grendberg, said that he was following with great concern recent developments in Yemen, where the areas under the control of Ansar Allah are still being subjected to Israeli strikes after Ansar Allah’s attacks against Israel.

The special envoy again stressed that Yemen cannot become an arena for a wider geopolitical conflict, stressing the need for these attacks to stop.

The UN envoy said, in a statement issued today, Sunday, that he continues to invite all parties to use the available diplomatic channels to reduce the escalation. He also expressed deep concern about the deaths and injuries of civilians as a result of the recent Israeli attacks.

In addition, according to data issued by Ansar Allah, these attacks resulted in the death and injury of a number of senior Ansar Allah officials and some political mediators.

The UN envoy called on all concerned parties to protect civilians and civil infrastructure, in line with their obligations under international law.