Washington calls for release of US, UN mission staff held by Houthis in Yemen

The US called on the Houthi group in Yemen on Thursday to release all detained Yemenis working for the United Nations, diplomatic missions and nongovernmental organizations.

On Monday, the Houthis announced the arrest of a spy cell working for the US and Israel, claiming that the individuals were working under the cover of humanitarian organizations and UN agencies.

The number of US mission staff remains unknown, and multiple outlets reported that Houthi authorities released alleged confessions by 10 Yemenis, several of whom were reportedly recruited by the US Embassy.

The UN also said that 11 employees were arrested by the Houthi group on Sunday.

“We condemn the Houthis' shameful broadcast of fabricated forced ‘confessions',” the US Embassy in Yemen said in a statement.

“The Houthis owe all of these Yemenis thanks, not false accusations and imprisonment. The people of Yemen deserve better than fanciful Houthi lies meant to bolster their abusive and autocratic rule.”

The US said it has worked to support an end to the conflict in Yemen, including the investment of billions of dollars to meet the critical humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people, provide education, prevent environmental catastrophe, and help strengthen the economy against the damage the conflict has created.

“We call on the Houthis to release all detainees immediately. We will not rest until our Yemeni local staff are safely returned to their families.”

Since the beginning of 2024, a coalition led by the US has been conducting airstrikes that it said are targeting Houthi locations in parts of Yemen in response to attacks by the group in the Red Sea. The counterattacks have been occasionally met with retaliation from the group.

In solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which is facing a devastating Israeli offensive, the Houthis have targeted Israeli cargo ships or those associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.

With the intervention of Washington and London and an escalation of tensions, the Houthis announced that they now consider all American and British ships military targets.