Houthi rebels detain two UN workers in Yemen, including one in critical condition

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have detained two more United Nations workers in the capital, Sanaa, U.N. officials said on Saturday, intensifying a campaign against international staff.

The detained workers are both women employed by the World Food Programme. One of the women is in critical condition following a premature birth earlier this month. Her baby did not survive. The woman is related to another WFP staffer briefly detained earlier this month. Her brother, who suffers from kidney failure, was released due to health concerns.

Officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The latest detentions follow raids and arrests of U.N. staff on Thursday and Friday, during which the Houthis seized communications equipment and detained more than two dozen workers, later releasing 12 international staffers. At least 55 U.N. staff members are currently held by the Houthis, alongside personnel from other non-governmental and diplomatic organisations.

The U.N. has suspended operations in Saada province and relocated its top humanitarian coordinator from Sanaa to Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The Houthis allege, without evidence, that detained U.N. staff are spies, claims strongly denied by the U.N. The crackdown has forced the world body to reconsider operational security and staff safety in the war-torn country.

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