Germany, UK condemn Houthi kidnappings of UN staff, aid workers in Yemen

In separate statements, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom condemned the new kidnapping campaign launched by the terrorist Houthi militia against employees of UN agencies and international organizations working in the humanitarian field in Yemen.

The German Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement on the X platform that the Houthis are harming Yemen by arresting additional UN employees.

"They, like other UN and international aid workers who have been arbitrarily detained, must be released immediately and unconditionally," the statement added.

This #This will be held at the 7-day festival at @UN Mitarbeitenden ihrem eigenen Land. This month, we will be able to provide you with the best services available to UNO and international organizations, so that they are free to use. #Jemen https://t.co/upwM3E6eSi

- Auswärtiges Amt (@AuswaertigesAmt) January 25, 2025

In the first British position, International Development Secretary Anneliese Dodds expressed her horror at the news of the Houthis kidnapping an additional number of UN aid workers in Yemen.

“I was appalled to hear that the Houthis have once again detained UN aid workers in Yemen,” the British minister said. “Aid workers must be able to work without fear of unjustified detention.”

She added that Britain supports the call of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustly detained.

Appalled to hear the Houthis have again detained UN aid workers in Yemen. Aid workers must be able to work without fear of unjustified detention.

We support @antonioguterres' call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustly detained https://t.co/c710CRfLxY

— Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) January 25, 2025

On Thursday, the terrorist Houthi militia began a new kidnapping campaign that has so far targeted at least 30 people from the staff of UN agencies and international relief organizations in the capital, Sana'a.

On Friday, the United Nations announced the suspension of all official movements in areas controlled by the militia due to these arrests. The following day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Houthi militia to immediately and unconditionally release those detained on Thursday, as well as UN staff and international non-governmental organizations. National, civil society and diplomatic missions arbitrarily detained since June 2024, in addition to UN staff detained since 2021 and 2023.”