On Friday, December 19, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Houthis’ arbitrary detention of 10 additional UN staff members in Yemen. This latest action raises to 69 the number of UN personnel held in Houthi-controlled areas, according to spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
"The Secretary-General calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel from the UN, non-governmental and civil society organizations and diplomatic missions, and calls on the Houthis to rescind the referral of UN personnel for prosecution," Dujarric said.
The detentions have made the delivery of humanitarian aid in northern Yemen untenable, directly affecting millions of people who depend on UN-assisted food, healthcare and clean water programs. UN officials warn that this impasse could deepen suffering for communities already on the brink of famine.
Guterres reiterated the need to uphold international law, including the privileges and immunities that protect UN staff and enable their critical work. He pledged sustained efforts with UN member states, the Security Council and direct engagement with Houthi leaders to secure the swift release of all detained personnel.
As the crisis evolves, the global community is counting on diplomatic channels to break the stalemate. For Yemenis facing daily shortages of essential services, every hour without aid is a reminder of the human cost of this stand-off.
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UN chief Guterres condemns Houthis' detention of 10 more UN staff
cgtn.com
