In a recent development, Yemen's Houthi rebels have taken control of the headquarters of the United Nations' Human Rights Office in the capital city of Sanaa. This action involved the seizure of documents, furniture, and vehicles from the office premises, according to a senior U.N. official.
The incident is part of a broader crackdown by the Houthi rebels on individuals associated with the U.N., aid organizations, and foreign embassies. This crackdown coincides with the rebels' targeting of shipping in the Red Sea corridor amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The seizure of the U.N. Human Rights Office's facilities occurred on August 3, with reports indicating that U.N. Yemeni workers were compelled to surrender their belongings to the rebels. The U.N. Human Rights Chief has called for the immediate return of all assets and belongings taken by the Ansar Allah forces, the official name of the Houthis.
Following a campaign of arrests in June, which saw over 60 individuals associated with the U.N. and other NGOs detained by the Houthis, the U.N.'s Human Rights Office suspended its operations in Sanaa and other Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. However, the office continues to function in regions under the control of Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The Houthis have been embroiled in a civil war with Yemen's government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 150,000 people, including combatants and civilians, losing their lives. The war has also triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, claiming tens of thousands more lives.
Notably, the rebels have detained thousands of individuals during the conflict and have recently escalated their crackdown on dissent within Yemen. This includes the sentencing of 44 people to death in a recent development.
