• Iran-backed Houthis raided UN offices in Yemen, detaining at least 11 employees.
• The raids follow the Israeli killing of Houthi leaders, heightening tensions.
• UN Secretary-General condemned the actions, urging for the immediate release of detained staff.
• The situation is indicative of the ongoing crackdown on UN and humanitarian organizations in Houthi-controlled areas.
• The Houthis have vowed to escalate military actions against Israel following previous attacks.

The Iran-backed Houthis conducted raids on United Nations offices in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, resulting in the detention of at least 11 personnel according to latimes, npr, and reuters. A spokesperson for the World Food Program (WFP) confirmed that the raids involved armed security forces who forcibly entered the premises and detained staff.

The raids came in the wake of an Israeli airstrike that killed key Houthi leaders, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, heightening security measures across the capital. Humanitarian agencies in the region report an increase in tensions as the rebels step up their crackdown on international organizations working under challenging conditions amid ongoing conflicts, according to scmp and reuters.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the raids, emphasizing the "unacceptable" nature of the arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel, as several contacts with staff were reportedly lost following the incidents. He called for the "immediate and unconditional release of the staff," highlighting the serious implications for humanitarian efforts in the region, according to latimes and scmp.

The ongoing situation represents a significant barrier to humanitarian efforts, as the Houthis continue to detain not just UN personnel but also individuals associated with various international NGOs, prompting concern from global leaders about the safety and viability of operations in areas under Houthi control, according to reuters and reuters.