Houthis raid UN agencies in Yemen and detain employees

In Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on August 31, 2025, the Iran-backed Houthis conducted raids on the offices of two significant United Nations agencies, the World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF. These operations resulted in the detention of at least one U.N. employee, while communications were reportedly lost with several others, suggesting that more staff were likely taken into custody as well. The simultaneous raids reflect a broader campaign by the Houthis against international organizations operating in their territory, indicating a routine pattern of crackdowns that have seen numerous humanitarian workers detained in past instances. The Houthi forces initiated this crackdown amid heightened tensions following a recent Israeli strike that killed high-ranking officials within the Houthi administration, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The strike, which came just days prior to the raids, was a significant blow to the group and has likely intensified their security measures and hostility towards external entities. The raids appear to be a reaction to both the crackdown on their leadership and the overall instability in the region, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict related to the Israel-Hamas war. Officials from the WFP and UNICEF emphasized that the detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable and detrimental to their operations. This incident in Sanaa underlines the precarious situation of international aid work in Yemen, where humanitarian agencies face constant threats to both staff safety and operational capacity. The U.N. had already suspended operations in certain areas following earlier detentions, and this latest incident raises concerns over the continuation of vital aid in a region devastated by protracted conflict and humanitarian crises. With the ongoing military confrontations and regional hostilities, there are fears that these events could further escalate. The Houthis have vowed to increase their military actions against Israel and have shown an intent to challenge the operations of international organizations they perceive as aligned with foreign adversaries. This current situation poses significant risks not only to those directly involved but also to the millions of vulnerable civilians in Yemen who rely on humanitarian assistance.