UN says seven staff detained in Houthi-controlled Yemen, all movements suspended by Reuters

Dubai (Reuters) -The United Nations said on Friday that the Houthis who control northern Yemen had detained seven U.N. staff, and was suspending all movement of U.N. staff in Houthi-controlled areas while they search for immediate release of detainees.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the movement and demanded the immediate release of those detained.

Previously, the UN had said the arrests had taken place in the capital Sanaa area.

All official movement of UN staff in Houthi-controlled areas has been suspended to protect the safety of staff.

“The United Nations will continue to work through all possible channels to ensure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained,” Guterres said in a statement.

Houthi officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have attacked shipping in the Red Sea, drawing airstrikes from the United States and Britain. The United Nations also complained last June that the group had detained 11 of its staff.

“The continued director of UN staff and partners negatively impacts our ability to help millions of people in need in Yemen,” Guterres said.

The Houthis have had around 20 Yemeni employees from the US embassy in Sanaa for the past three years. The embassy suspended operations a decade ago.