Houthis Raid U.N. Office in Sana'a

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has condemned the Houthi organization for a recent raid on its office in Sana’a, Yemen, where critical documents were stolen and employees were taken hostage. High Commissioner Volker Turk called for the immediate release of the detained staff and emphasized the need for unhindered access to Yemeni civilians. This incident follows a series of attacks on U.N. personnel, including a June raid that resulted in the abduction of 13 U.N. workers, six of whom were affiliated with the Human Rights Office. The Houthis, a Shiite group backed by Iran, have been engaged in a civil war with Yemen's internationally recognized government since 2014, when they seized control of Sana’a. Their recent actions, including the takeover of the U.N. Human Rights Office on August 3, reflect a broader crackdown on humanitarian organizations and foreign embassies. The U.N. has since suspended operations in areas controlled by the Houthis, although it continues to function in regions governed by the legitimate Yemeni government. In addition to the U.N. staff detentions, the Houthis have intensified their campaign against dissent, recently sentencing 44 individuals to death. They have also claimed to have arrested members of an alleged "American-Israeli spy network," releasing purported confessions from detainees, which remain unverified. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and has created one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, exacerbating the plight of millions in Yemen.