EU: We are deeply concerned about the fate of UN and international agency staff kidnapped by the Houthis

The heads of European missions in Yemen expressed their deep concern on Thursday about the fate of employees of UN, international and local agencies and diplomatic missions who have been kidnapped in Houthi militia prisons for three months.

The European Mission in Yemen said: “The Heads of Mission of the European Union in Yemen remain deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of staff of the United Nations, international and local NGOs and diplomatic missions.”

"Their continued detention without any contact with them for more than 90 days now severely hinders the ability of the international community to assist millions of Yemenis in urgent need of aid," she added.

The ambassadors affirmed their full support for the repeated international calls, and the calls of the UN Secretary-General Guterres, for their immediate and unconditional release.

The EU Heads of Mission 🇪🇺 in Yemen 🇾🇪 remain deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of staff of the United Nations, international and local NGOs and diplomatic missions in Yemen. 1/3

- EUinYemen (@EUinYemen) September 5, 2024

In early June, the Houthi militia kidnapped 13 UN employees, and later expanded its campaigns to include more than 70 employees of international and local organizations in areas under its control in northern and western Yemen, before accusing them of spying for foreign parties.