Houthi rebels in Yemen have detained two additional United Nations staff members and raided the homes of several others over the past 48 hours, prompting the UN to reconsider its operations in the conflict-ridden country. The detentions were confirmed by Farhan Haqq, the UN deputy spokesperson, on Friday. Three World Food Program officials, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly, reported that the raids on Yemeni staff homes and a UN facility occurred Thursday and Friday.

“Since 2021, the de facto authorities have taken measures that have increasingly hindered the UN’s ability to assist Yemenis,” Haqq said. “These actions are forcing us to reassess how we operate in Houthi-controlled areas.” This incident is the latest in a series of escalations by the armed group against both local and international humanitarian workers. In recent months, Houthis have forcibly entered and occupied UN offices, including in Sanaa, seizing assets and repeatedly detaining personnel. Currently, 55 UN staffers remain detained by the Houthis, along with other non-governmental and civil society workers from various diplomatic missions.

Earlier this week, the Houthis released 12 international staffers and allowed three others to move freely within a UN compound in Sanaa, after detaining them over the previous weekend. The released staffers departed Sanaa on a UN humanitarian flight, with some relocating to Jordan to continue their work. The UN has emphasized that it remains fully engaged with the matter, maintaining contact with authorities in Sanaa and relevant Member States to secure the release of detainees. Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his call for their immediate and unconditional release.

Houthis have long targeted the UN and other organizations operating in rebel-held areas of Yemen, often accusing detained staff of espionage—a claim the UN denies. The latest detentions occurred a day after another Houthi raid on a UN facility in Sanaa, where staff were unharmed. Those detained included five Yemenis and 15 international staff, while 11 others were released after questioning.

According to a UN official speaking anonymously, the rebels confiscated all communications equipment, including phones, servers, and computers. Those detained work across several UN agencies, including the World Food Program, UNICEF, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. On August 31, the Houthis also raided UN offices in Sanaa, detaining 19 employees, though the deputy director of UNICEF in Yemen was later released.