UN confirms all staff freed after Houthi forces vacate compound in Yemen’s capital

The United Nations said on Monday that all its personnel previously confined inside its compound in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, have been released after Houthi forces withdrew.

In a statement, the UN team in Yemen said all fifteen international staff members are now able to move freely within the compound and are in contact with their respective agencies and families.

It also confirmed the release of five national staff who had been detained by the Houthis since 18 October.

“Security personnel of Ansar Allah have vacated the UN compound in Sana’a,” the statement added.

The development came two days after Houthi fighters stormed a UN residential compound in the capital and briefly detained humanitarian staff.

Yemen continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with nearly a decade of conflict between government forces and the Houthi group claiming more than 150,000 lives and leaving millions in need of aid.

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