Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of two United Nations agencies in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday, a day after Israel said it killed the prime minister of the rebel-controlled government.
The offices the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) were “entered by local security forces” on Sunday morning, spokespersons for the agencies told CNN in separate statements.
A WFP staff member was detained, as were a number of UNICEF staff members, according to the statements.
Hans Grundberg, the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, later confirmed that at least 11 UN personnel were detained, adding that he “strongly” condemns the detentions, as well as the forced entry into UN premises.
The WFP and UNICEF are “urgently seeking additional information” from local authorities, their spokespersons told CNN, adding: “Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our staff.”
