UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of 10 additional UN personnel by Houthi forces in Yemen, according to a statement issued on Friday, December 19, 2025. The arrests bring the total number of detained UN staff to 69, severely disrupting humanitarian operations in Houthi-controlled regions.
Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that these detentions make the delivery of critical aid "untenable," directly impacting millions reliant on UN assistance. Guterres demanded the immediate release of all personnel and urged the Houthis to withdraw legal actions against UN staff.
The Secretary-General emphasized adherence to international law, including diplomatic immunities essential for humanitarian work. The UN is coordinating with member states, the Security Council, and engaging directly with Houthi representatives to secure staff releases.
This escalation comes amid heightened instability in Yemen, where over 20 million people require urgent aid. The UN’s operations, already strained by funding shortages, now face unprecedented operational challenges due to the detentions.
