UN confirms all staff freed from Yemen compound after Houthi withdrawal

The United Nations has verified that all personnel previously restricted within its Sanaa compound have regained their freedom following the withdrawal of Houthi security forces from the facility. The resolution comes after days of limited movement and detentions that raised concerns about humanitarian operations in the conflict-ravaged Yemeni capital.

Staff Restoration and Communication

According to a UN situation update, all fifteen international staff members can now move freely within the Sanaa compound and have reestablished communication with their respective UN agencies and family members. The organization also confirmed the release of five national staff members who had been detained since October 18 within the same facility.

Security Developments and Previous Incident

The UN announcement noted that security personnel from Ansar Allah, the formal name for the Houthi movement, have completely vacated the organization's compound in the Yemeni capital. This development follows Saturday's incident when Houthi forces entered a UN residential compound in Sanaa and detained several staff members, escalating tensions with international humanitarian organizations.

Broader Humanitarian Context

Yemen continues to endure one of the world's most severe humanitarian and economic crises after nearly a decade of conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels. The prolonged war has resulted in over 150,000 fatalities and created devastating humanitarian conditions that have caused tens of thousands of additional deaths through disease and malnutrition.