Huthi rebels raid UN building in Yemen

In a concerning development, Huthi rebels in Yemen forcibly entered a United Nations (UN) compound in Sanaa on Saturday, according to a UN official. Jean Alam, spokesperson for the UN Resident Coordinator for Yemen, confirmed the incident, stating that 15 international staff members were present at the time. Alam assured that all personnel were safe and had contacted their families, emphasizing that the UN is taking all necessary measures to address the situation. This latest raid follows a similar incident on August 31, when Huthi forces stormed UN offices and detained over 11 employees, accusing them of espionage for the United States and Israel. UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric condemned the accusations as ‘dangerous and unacceptable,’ reiterating calls for the release of 53 detained UN colleagues. The Huthi leader, Abdelmalek al-Huthi, had previously claimed to have dismantled a spy network linked to humanitarian organizations like the World Food Program and UNICEF. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, now in its tenth year, has exacerbated one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with the UN reporting the arrest of 21 personnel since August 31, 2025, alongside 23 NGO workers. In September, the UN humanitarian coordinator relocated from Huthi-controlled Sanaa to Aden, the interim capital of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.