New Measures from Guterres to Protect United Nations Employees in Yemen

In a notable move reflecting the growing international concern for the safety of humanitarian workers in Yemen, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced new measures to protect them, including relocating some United Nations offices to the temporary capital, Aden, and minimizing communication with areas under Houthi control, except for life-saving assistance.

This came during a meeting between Guterres and the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, according to the Yemeni official news agency.

Guterres affirmed that the United Nations is "committed to working closely with the Leadership Council and the Yemeni government to support the Yemeni people and achieve their aspirations for peace and stability," stressing that the safety and security of its employees are a top priority.

For his part, Al-Alimi praised the efforts of the United Nations in Yemen, reiterating the government's commitment to the peace option according to the three references: the Gulf Initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue, and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

During the meeting, Al-Alimi urged the United Nations and the international community to exert greater pressure on the Iran-backed Houthi militia to immediately release the detained UN employees and relocate the offices of international relief agencies to Aden as a precautionary measure.

He pointed out that Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping vessels have not only triggered an economic crisis but have also contributed to exacerbating the humanitarian disaster affecting millions of Yemenis.

In a related context, a report issued by a rights network revealed more than a thousand abduction cases committed by the Houthis against Yemeni citizens who celebrated the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, indicating the scale of widespread human rights violations in areas under the group's control.

Al-Alimi emphasized the need to intensify international coordination to pressure the Houthis to vacate United Nations premises, return confiscated properties, and release all detainees immediately and unconditionally, including employees of the international organization, civil society leaders, and diplomats.