Sun Aug 31 17:26:17 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, written from the perspective of *The Hindu*, an Indian newspaper:
**Headline: UN Condemns Houthi Arrests of Aid Workers in Yemen Following Israeli Strike**
**Sanaa, Yemen – September 1, 2025, 03:39 am IST** – The United Nations is demanding the immediate release of at least 11 of its personnel detained by Houthi authorities in Yemen, following a series of raids on UN premises over the weekend. The detentions come in the wake of heightened tensions after an Israeli strike on Thursday killed the Houthis’ Prime Minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, along with other officials.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the detentions as “arbitrary” and called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all those held. UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg stated that the detentions, carried out in Sanaa and Hodeida, involved the forced entry into UN facilities and seizure of UN property.
The UN revealed that the Houthis were already holding 23 UN personnel, some detained since 2021 and 2023. In January, the Houthi rebels detained eight U.N. workers. The Houthis had previously claimed that arrests made in June 2024 uncovered “an American-Israeli spy network” operating under the guise of humanitarian organizations – allegations strongly refuted by the UN.
The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed on Sunday (August 31, 2025) that one of its staff members had been detained in Sanaa and that it was urgently seeking further information. Sources in Sanaa reported that seven WFP employees and three UNICEF workers had also been arrested following raids on their offices.
“The arbitrary detention of humanitarian staff is unacceptable,” the WFP stated, emphasizing the importance of staff safety for carrying out life-saving work.
Grundberg condemned the arrests as a violation of the fundamental obligation to protect the safety and dignity of UN personnel and their ability to conduct essential work.
The ongoing civil war in Yemen has created a dire humanitarian crisis, with more than half the population dependent on aid. The UN had previously limited deployments and suspended activities in certain regions following arrests last year.
A Yemeni security source told AFP that dozens of people had been arrested in Sanaa and other areas on suspicion of collaborating with Israel. The Iran-backed Houthi group has vowed to intensify attacks on Israel in response to Rahawi’s death.
The incident underscores the increasing instability and challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen. The safety and security of aid workers are paramount to ensuring the delivery of essential assistance to the millions of Yemenis in need.
First Piper 