Iran-backed Houthi rebels raided offices of the United Nations’ food, health, and children’s agencies in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, detaining at least 11 personnel, reports said.
Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the World Food Program (WFP), told The Associated Press that at least one staffer was detained in Sanaa, while others were reportedly held in nearby areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF offices were also raided, according to a UN official and a Houthi source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“WFP reiterates that the arbitrary detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable,” Etefa said. UNICEF spokesperson Ammar Ammar confirmed that several staffers had been detained, adding that the agency is working to account for all personnel in Houthi-controlled areas.
The raids mark the latest in an ongoing Houthi campaign against UN agencies and international organizations operating in rebel-held territories. Earlier this year, the UN suspended operations in Saada after the detention of eight staffers.
Sunday’s actions follow an Israeli strike on Thursday that killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, Foreign Minister Gamal Amer, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed al-Medani, and several other Cabinet members, as well as a deputy interior minister. The strike was linked to recent Houthi attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned that attacks on Israel and merchant vessels will continue and escalate. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg called for de-escalation, expressing “great concern” over recent strikes in Houthi-held areas.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are m...
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his governmen...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
Iraq has returned restricted airspace across the western part of the country to civilian authorities, ending limits imposed for military operations against Islamic State since 2016, the Transport Ministry said.
Denmark and Greenland have moved to reassure the public that their sovereignty will remain intact under a new security agreement with the United States.
World leaders are set to gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York for several days of high-level debate, with Iran, Ukraine, artificial intelligence (AI) and a range of global crises expected to dominate discussions this week.
Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his U.S. tour, apologising for decisions made after rapper Macklemore was removed from the line-up over his public support for Palestine.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment