ALBAWABA - Yemen's Houthis stormed the United Nations Human Rights Office offices in Sanaa on Tuesday, seizing papers, furniture, and cars, a senior UN official told the Associated Press.
The capture was the latest in the Houthis' crackdown on anyone working for the United Nations, relief groups, and foreign embassies.
The crackdown comes as the Houthis continue to attack vessels in the Red Sea waterway in support of the people of Gaza during the brutal ongoing Israeli aggression.
According to UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, the Houthis stormed the Human Rights Office in Sanaa on August 3, ordering UN Yemeni staff to hand over possessions like as papers, furniture, and cars.
"Ansar Allah forces must leave the premises and return all assets and belongings immediately," Türk said, using the official name of the Houthis.
"I regret that all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. I appeal again, with a heavy heart, for their immediate and unconditional release. We are doing all we can to make sure they are united with their loved ones as soon as possible" Türk said.
On June 6 and 7, Houthi authorities detained 13 UN officials, including six from the UN Human Rights Office, as well as more than 50 NGO workers and an embassy staff member. Two additional UN Human Rights staff members have been arrested since November 2021 and August 2023.
Days following the arrest campaign, the Houthis claimed they had captured members of an "American-Israeli spy network."
The Houthis released alleged recorded confessions from ten Yemenis, many of whom forcefully claimed to have been recruited by the US Embassy in Yemen.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, one of its staff members who was previously held was featured in a video in which he was compelled to confess to suspicions of espionage.
