UN representative urges immediate release of detainees, warns Yemen fighting and economy risk worsening

A United Nations representative told the Security Council that dozens of United Nations, national and international NGO, civil society and diplomatic personnel remain arbitrarily detained by Ansar Allah and demanded their "immediate and unconditional release." "Their continued imprisonment is shameful," the representative said.

The representative said some colleagues have been detained since 2021, with additional detentions in 2025, and that thousands of detainees across Yemen include some who have been held for as long as 10 years. He called on council members to use diplomatic channels and influence to press for the release of detainees and said the United Nations will continue to advocate on behalf of detained staff and civilians.

The briefing described a deteriorating security and economic picture. The representative noted multiple…