Middle East: Houthi raid on UN headquarters in Sana’a, staff are safe

Cairo (Egypt), 18 October (LaPresse/AP) – Iranian-backed Houthi rebels stormed a UN facility in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, but all staff members are safe. The spokesperson for the UN Resident Coordinator for Yemen, Jean Alam, told the Associated Press that 15 international UN staff members were present in the compound during the raid by Houthi security forces and that ‘according to the latest information, all staff present in the compound are safe, have been located and have contacted their families’. On 31 August, rebels stormed the UN offices in Sana’a and arrested 19 employees. They subsequently released the deputy director of the UNICEF office, but continue to hold more than 50 people, including many linked to humanitarian groups, civil society and the now-closed US embassy in Sana’a. ‘The United Nations is taking all necessary measures and is in contact with the relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of all staff and property,’ Alam said.