Houthis Detain 11 UN Employees Amid Increasing Airstrikes and Financial Strain

Houthis in Yemen detained 11 UN employees, escalating tensions amid financial strains and increased airstrikes. The detentions come as the Houthis face pressure internationally and at home, leading to humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. The UN is actively seeking their release while various organizations condemn the actions.

Eleven United Nations employees have been detained by Yemen's Houthi rebels under unclear circumstances, authorities reported Friday. The detentions come amid increasing financial pressures and a US-led coalition's airstrikes targeting the Houthis. Additional aid group workers may also have been detained.

Having seized Yemen's capital nearly a decade ago, the Houthis now face mounting international attention and crackdowns at home. The group, which has been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor, has also recently sentenced 44 people to death. Regional officials, speaking anonymously, initially confirmed at least nine UN detentions, including staff from various UN agencies. By Friday night, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed 11 detentions.

"We are very concerned about these developments," Dujarric stated, emphasizing efforts to secure the UN personnel's release. Former US Embassy employees have also been detained by the Houthis. The detentions have sparked condemnation from various human rights organizations, highlighting a violation of international law and raised humanitarian concerns.

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