Yemen – Arrest of United Nations staff (1 September 2025)

France strongly condemns the new wave of arbitrary arrests of United Nations employees by the Houthis in the cities of Sana’a and Hudaydah in Yemen, as well as the break-in at United Nations premises and the seizure of property belonging to the organization.

It demands the immediate and unconditional release of all the employees of the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations and diplomatic missions who are being held arbitrarily by the Houthis. These arrests are contrary to international law. They hinder the distribution of the humanitarian aid that the Yemeni population needs, and thus help exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

France reaffirms its full support for the United Nations’ action in Yemen.