Houthi Leader Condemns Israel, Group Raids UN Offices Amid Escalating Tensions
Following recent Israeli strikes, a Houthi leader has strongly condemned Israel’s actions, characterizing them as a “record of terror.” The condemnation came during the leader’s first speech on sunday since the strikes, as reported by Houthi media.He stated Israel “does not spare even children, women and defenceless civilians,” and accused Israel of adding “the crime of targeting ministers and civilian officials” to its “criminal record in the region.”
The remarks followed the killing of Ahmed Ghaleb al-rahawi, the prime minister of the houthi-led government in Sanaa, in an Israeli strike on Thursday.The Houthis stated in a Saturday declaration that “several” other ministers were also killed during the strike, which targeted a workshop attended by Houthi government members.The Houthi leader further asserted that Israel’s “record…is one of horrific terror,” citing actions in Palestinian territory, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.He described Israel as “a criminal foe that demonstrates its savagery, criminality and aggression through practices that know no rules, no commitments, no charters and no considerations.” he affirmed the group’s continued opposition to the war in Gaza and pledged ongoing support for Palestinians,stating,”our people will not be weakened by the aggression they are facing.”
Israel has conducted repeated strikes against Houthi positions in recent months, responding to attacks launched by the Yemeni group against Israel and Western vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. israeli media, citing unnamed sources, reported on Friday that the Israeli army targeted the entire Houthi cabinet, including the prime minister and 12 other ministers, on Thursday. This followed earlier Israeli strikes on Sanaa on August 24,which health officials reported killed 10 people and wounded over 90.
UN Offices raided
In a separate development on Sunday, Houthi forces raided offices belonging to the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF in Sanaa.At least one UN employee was detained, and contact was lost with several other staffers from both agencies, suggesting further detentions.
Ammar Ammar,a UNICEF spokesperson,described the situation as “ongoing” without providing specifics. Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson, confirmed the raids and stated, “WFP reiterates that the arbitrary detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable.”
These raids represent the latest instance of a long-running Houthi crackdown on the UN and international organizations operating in areas under their control. Dozens of UN staff, as well as individuals connected to aid groups, civil society organizations, and the former US Embassy in Sanaa, have been detained. In February, the UN suspended operations in the Houthi stronghold of Saada after eight UN staffers were detained in January.
