The United Nations has suspended all operations in Houthi-held regions of Yemen following the detention of several UN staff members in the capital, Sanaa.
The UN confirmed the move, stating that it is in active discussions with senior Houthi officials in an effort to secure the release of its employees. As of now, the Houthis have yet to issue an official response.
This incident is not the first of its kind. Last year, several UN workers were detained by the Houthi group, which also continues to hold around 20 Yemeni employees of the US embassy for over three years.
Human rights organizations have accused the Houthis of widespread human rights violations, including the kidnapping, torture, and arbitrary detention of hundreds of civilians.
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The Iranian-backed Houthi movement has been locked in a nearly decade-long conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, a war that began when the Houthis ousted the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
While active fighting has slowed in recent years, tensions remain high, with the Houthis gaining international attention through aggressive actions, including targeting ships in the Red Sea and launching rockets toward Israel in a show of solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians.
These provocations have led to retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions by the US, Israel, and the UK. In a shift, the Houthis have pledged to reduce attacks on shipping lanes and cease rocket fire toward Israel, contingent on the continuation of a ceasefire in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Yemen has seen major shifts, including the decision by former US President Donald Trump to re-designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.
Despite international pressure, the group continues to control vast territories in Yemen, which remains the poorest country in the Middle East.
The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering, with hundreds of thousands of deaths due to violence, disease, and hunger.
The UN and other humanitarian organizations remain crucial in providing aid to millions of Yemenis, though their efforts are often hindered by obstruction in areas controlled by the Houthis, making it difficult to reach those in dire need.