De facto Houthi authorities in Yemen continue to hold dozens of United Nations and civil society staff in arbitrary detention, according to reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Since May 2024, at least 73 UN staff and dozens of other humanitarian workers have been detained without charge, raising urgent concerns regarding their safety, access to legal counsel, and the severe impact these actions have on the delivery of humanitarian aid to populations facing acute food insecurity.
The Scope of Detentions in Northern Yemen
The current wave of detentions began on May 31, 2024, when Houthi authorities initiated a series of raids across areas under their control. As of February 2026, 73 UN employees and dozens of staff members from international and Yemeni civil society organizations remain in custody, according to documentation by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
While Houthi authorities have released seven individuals since the initial crackdown, the majority remain held incommunicado. Many detainees were taken without warrants, and families have reported that their relatives were denied access to lawyers and coerced into filming video “confessions” regarding espionage—a charge frequently used by Houthi authorities to target political opponents and activists since 2015, as noted by Amnesty International.
Humanitarian Impact and Risks to Detainees
The detention of aid workers has significantly hampered the ability of organizations to provide life-saving assistance. According to a recent report by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with certain districts under Houthi control projected to face “Catastrophe” levels of food insecurity through May 2026.
The safety of those in custody remains a primary concern. On February 11, 2025, a World Food Programme staff member died while in Houthi detention. Human Rights Watch and other observers have documented a history of torture and ill-treatment within Houthi-run detention centers, fueling fears for the well-being of the remaining detainees, many of whom suffer from serious, untreated medical conditions.
Calls for Accountability and Release
International organizations, including the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), are calling for an immediate and unconditional release of all detained humanitarian personnel. Amna Guellali, research director at CIHRS, stated that the international community must move beyond expressions of concern and provide a unified response to pressure Houthi authorities to end these reprisals and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access.
The targeting of aid workers is not a new development. Previous cases include the 2023 death of a Save the Children safety and security director while held incommunicado, as well as the ongoing detention of staff from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNESCO, who were arrested as early as 2021.
Key Facts About the Houthi Detentions
- Detention Status: As of February 2026, 73 UN staff and dozens of civil society workers remain in custody.
- Legal Access: Most detainees have been denied access to legal counsel, though three UN employees’ cases were transferred to the Specialized Criminal Court in December 2025.
- Humanitarian Context: The WFP and FAO warn that four districts under Houthi control are currently facing extreme food insecurity, exacerbated by the restricted ability of aid groups to operate.
- Precedent: Amnesty International has documented a consistent pattern of Houthi authorities using “spying” charges to suppress dissent and civic space since 2015.
As the conflict continues, the focus for international stakeholders remains on securing the release of these workers and ensuring that aid can reach the millions of Yemenis relying on these organizations for survival.