The United Nations has temporarily suspended its operations in the Houthi-controlled governorate of Sa'ada, Yemen, citing security concerns. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the decision following the recent detention of eight UN personnel by the Houthis, including six working in Sa'ada.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres, stated, \"The secretary-general has instructed the agencies, funds and programs of the United Nations, in the absence of the necessary security conditions and guarantees, to pause all operations and programs in Sa'ada governorate, Yemen.\"
This extraordinary measure aims to balance the urgency of providing humanitarian aid with the safety and security of UN staff and partners. Haq emphasized that the suspension is intended to facilitate the release of the detained personnel and ensure that future operations can be conducted safely and effectively.
The Houthis have maintained control over Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014, leading to an ongoing conflict with Yemeni government forces. The United Nations has described the situation as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people in need of assistance.
In addition to the recent detentions, Yemeni government sources reported that the Houthis arrested at least seven Yemeni employees of international organizations in January. These individuals were associated with agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme.
Despite the suspension, the United Nations remains committed to supporting the millions of Yemenis affected by the conflict, striving to uphold the principles of impartiality, neutrality, independence, and humanity in its humanitarian efforts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
