Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of two United Nations (UN) agencies in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday. This happened just one day after Israel said it killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, in an airstrike.
The rebels entered the offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, the UN’s children’s agency. Staff members from both agencies were detained, including at least 11 UN employees. Hans Grundberg, the UN’s special envoy for Yemen, strongly condemned the raids and called for the release of the workers. Both WFP and UNICEF said their top priority is the safety of their staff.
It is not clear if the raids are directly connected to Israel’s attack. However, the Houthis have previously targeted the UN and other international groups in Yemen. Yemen’s internationally recognized government also condemned the rebels’ actions.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike that killed al-Rahawi is “only the beginning” of a wider campaign against the Houthis. The group promised revenge after losing al-Rahawi and other top officials.
The Houthis have often launched missiles toward Israel and attacked ships in the Red Sea, saying these are acts of retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza. Netanyahu warned that the Houthis will “pay a heavy price” for their attacks on Israel.
Yemen has been divided since 2014, with the Houthis ruling the north, while the UN-backed government controls the south. The conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
-Peace News Desk