UN condemns death of one of its staff members held by Houthi militia in northern Yemen

Late last night, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the death of a UN staff member while he was being “arbitrarily” detained by the Houthis in Saada, northern Yemen, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.

"I strongly condemn the death of our WFP colleague on 10 February while in detention," Guterres said in a statement , explaining that he had been arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities (the Houthis) on 23 January 2025.

The Secretary-General expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and his colleagues at the World Food Programme, and declared his solidarity with all detained colleagues and their families.

"The circumstances surrounding this horrific tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the de facto authorities (the Houthis)," he added.

Guterres called for "an immediate, transparent and comprehensive investigation, and for those responsible for this incident to be held accountable."

The statement pointed out that dozens of employees of the United Nations, local and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions are still being held by the Houthis, some for years, stressing that their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable.

The Secretary-General renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release.

Guterres concluded his statement by stressing that the United Nations continues to closely monitor this situation and will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of its staff in their efforts to provide services to the Yemeni people.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Nations World Food Programme expressed sadness and anger over the death of one of its employees while he was being arbitrarily detained in northern Yemen (without referring to the Houthi militia).

The programme said that the employee, named Ahmed (Ahmed Ba'alawi), had been a dedicated humanitarian worker with the World Food Programme since 2017, and a father of two children, expressing sadness over this tragic loss, and offering its condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said she was "saddened and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member Ahmed," stressing that Ahmed played a crucial role in WFP's mission to provide life-saving food assistance.

Earlier on Tuesday, UN sources reported the death of employee Ahmed Ba'alawi, one of seven local World Food Programme workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthi militia since January 23.

On Monday, the United Nations announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had directed UN agencies, funds and programmes - in the absence of security conditions and necessary guarantees - to temporarily suspend all operations and programmes in Saada Governorate in Yemen.