The United Nations said on Dec. 17 that Houthi de facto authorities detained 10 additional U.N. personnel on Dec. 18, bringing the total number of U.N. staff held in Yemen to 69. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the arbitrary detention" and is calling for the "immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel," the U.N. spokesperson said.

The spokesperson, Steph, told reporters the detentions are having a direct operational impact: "These detentions render the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable," she said, adding that the vast majority of U.N. staff in Yemen are national employees who put themselves at risk to help their communities. The U.N. said it is reorganizing its footprint and operations in response to the security environment.

Reporters asked whether operations had been suspended; Steph said the U.N. is "looking at" arrangements on a rolling basis and is working with member states and a U.N. interlocutor in contact with the Houthis to seek releases. She said the U.N. is also engaging other member states and partners to try to secure the safe return of staff working for NGOs and diplomatic missions.

The U.N. reiterated a call for respect of international law and the privileges and immunities of U.N. personnel, emphasizing that those protections "are essential to enabling humanitarian action in a secure and principled environment." The spokesperson said the U.N. will continue sustained efforts with member states and the Security Council, and through direct engagement, to secure the release of detained personnel.

The briefing did not provide a timeline for releases or detail on whether any specific operational activities would be permanently halted; the U.N. said decisions are being made case by case as the footprint is adjusted.