UN council warned of renewed tensions in Yemen as UN staff detained and WFP worker dies in custody

At a United Nations Security Council session, Speaker 1, Representative, said the recent regional de-escalation in the Israel–Gaza conflict and a temporary cessation of Red Sea attacks offered a fragile opportunity to press for further reductions in hostilities in Yemen.

The representative said the situation remains precarious because of what he described as "the fourth wave of arbitrary detentions of United Nations staff conducted by Ansar Allah last month" and cited the death of a UN colleague working for the World Food Programme while in detention. "These detentions are not only a violation of fundamental human rights but also a direct threat to the United Nations ability to provide humanitarian assistance to millions in need," he said, and added that he "joined the secretary general in calling for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation of his death and for those responsible to be held accountable." The speaker urged the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN,…