Key takeaways:

• The UN suspended aid operations in Yemen's Saada region following the detention of its staff, including a recent death.
• One UN aid worker, Ahmed, died while detained, prompting outrage from the World Food Programme (WFP).
• The Houthis have detained dozens of UN personnel, raising security concerns for humanitarian operations.

The United Nations has announced the suspension of all humanitarian operations in northern Yemen's Saada region, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, following the detention of multiple staff members. The decision comes after the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) worker, Ahmed, who died while in custody after being "arbitrarily detained" by local authorities on January 23. His tragic passing was confirmed just a day after the UN's pause of operations, highlighting the dire consequences facing the humanitarian mission amid escalating tensions.

The UN described the suspension as an "extraordinary measure" taken to ensure the safety and security of its personnel, given the ongoing detentions and security threats symbolized by the Houthis targeting international aid efforts. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq emphasized the need for guarantees to effectively deliver critical aid, which is increasingly vital as Yemen grapples with one of the worst humanitarian crises facing the globe today. The conflict, which began in 2014, has claimed over 150,000 lives and left roughly half the population—approximately 19 million people—needing some form of humanitarian assistance.

The Houthis have been detaining UN staff and personnel from NGOs, claiming they are linked to foreign intelligence operations, a narrative that the humanitarian community firmly rejects. The UN's earlier decision to restrict travel into Houthi-controlled areas has created an operational void, deepening the humanitarian crisis. The WFP's Executive Director, Cindy McCain, expressed her heartbreak over Ahmed's death, reiterating that "humanitarians are #NotATarget," and underscoring the essential role aid workers play during such crises. With aid operations now halted, the forthcoming weeks could see thousands of vulnerable Yemenis without the lifeline provided by the UN and other agencies.

For further insights, please check the report by BBC and Al Jazeera.