Houthi security forces detained 20 United Nations employees inside a UN facility in Sanaa on Sunday, a day after another compound was raided, according to UN officials. A second official said the group confiscated “phones, servers and computers,” and agencies affected include the World Food Programme, UNICEF and OCHA.

The UN said it was engaging all parties “to resolve this serious situation as swiftly as possible.”

The Raid And Immediate Detentions

Officials said five Yemenis and 15 international staff were held at the Hada compound, with 11 others released after questioning. A UN spokesperson added that authorities had entered the site a day earlier but staff were safe then and in contact with families.

The UN said it was working “to resolve this serious situation… and restore full control” over its Sanaa facilities.

A Pattern Of Crackdowns And Claims

Aid groups have faced months of raids and detentions across Sanaa, Hodeida and Saada, with more than 50 UN staffers swept up amid allegations of espionage that the UN has rejected.

The latest arrests come after a similar raid reported on Saturday, extending a tightening environment for international operations. Earlier this year, a WFP employee died in custody in northern Yemen, drawing global condemnation.

Operational Impact And Diplomatic Pressure

The UN has already paused operations in Saada and relocated its top humanitarian coordinator from Sanaa to Aden, citing staff safety and access concerns. Humanitarian officials say sustained detentions threaten one of the world’s largest relief operations and risk further disrupting food and health assistance.

The UN leadership recently condemned the arbitrary detention of personnel and pressed for immediate releases and guarantees of access.