UK: Houthi Practices Obstruct Aid Efforts in Yemen and Deepen Civilian Suffering
Yemen Monitor /Newsroom:
The British Ambassador to Yemen, Abda Sharif, accused the Houthi group of obstructing humanitarian relief efforts in the areas under their control, warning that the continued detention and harassment of UN and aid workers is worsening the humanitarian crisis and increasing the suffering of millions of Yemenis.
In a post on her account on the platform X (formerly Twitter), Sharif said that millions of people in northern Yemen are in dire need of life-saving assistance, while thousands face the risk of famine, noting that the Houthis’ actions are hindering the work of humanitarian organizations and causing unimaginable suffering.
The ambassador added that these ongoing violations pose a clear challenge to the international community and to UN Security Council resolutions, calling on the Houthis to immediately release all arbitrarily detained UN and humanitarian workers.
Sharif’s remarks came after UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Houthis’ continued detention of UN employees and their partners, as well as their seizure of UN offices and assets in areas under their control.
Guterres explained that the Houthis recently detained nine additional UN staff members, bringing the total number of detained UN employees since 2021 to 53. He emphasized that these actions are hindering the UN’s ability to deliver essential humanitarian aid in Yemen.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, urging respect for the safety of humanitarian workers and for international laws guaranteeing their protection.
