Information Minister: Houthi militia’s raid on Human Rights Commission is part of its pattern of restricting international organizations.

Escalating Tensions: In a bold move that has escalated tensions in the region, the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has stormed the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s headquarters in the capital city of Sanaa, Yemen. Information Minister, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar al-Eryani, reported that the militia looted documents, furniture, and vehicles from the premises. This act is a continuation of the group’s strategy to clamp down on international organizations, showing a blatant disregard for the dire humanitarian situation in areas under their control.

A Dangerous Development: According to al-Eryani, this alarming development follows approximately two months after the militia kidnapped dozens of United Nations employees and workers from other international and local organizations in Sanaa and several other governorates forcibly held by the Houthis. Among the kidnapped were four women. Al-Eryani highlighted that the Houthi’s interpretation of the international community’s hesitant stance as a green light to intensify their oppressive measures against international and humanitarian organizations and their local employees, without concern for the catastrophic impact on the already challenging economic and humanitarian conditions in their territories.

International Inaction Criticized: Al-Eryani criticized the international community’s lax stance over the years, which has allowed the Houthi militia to reach this dangerous juncture where they invade international organization offices, treating their staff as “spies and agents,” detaining them in large numbers, and using them as tools for propaganda, pressure, extortion, and bargaining, akin to tactics used by ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

Call for Immediate Action: Al-Eryani reiterated calls for the United Nations mission, all UN agencies, and international organizations operating in Yemen, including the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), to immediately relocate their main offices to the temporary capital, Aden, and other liberated areas. This move aims to ensure a safer and more effective environment for carrying out their humanitarian duties and protecting the lives of their workers.

Demand for a Firm International Stand: Al-Eryani urged the international community to adopt a firm stance against these practices, which blatantly violate international law and humanitarian law. He called for strong and deterrent measures proportional to the crimes committed by the Houthi militia, pressing for real pressure on the militia to release all forcibly detained UN staff and workers from international and local organizations. Furthermore, he advocated for the immediate classification of the Houthis as a global terrorist organization.

This incident marks a significant escalation in the conflict, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention to address the deteriorating situation in Yemen and ensure the safety and security of humanitarian operations in the country.

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