The U.N. announced that its decision to suspend all operations and programs in northern Saada province was driven by the absence of "necessary security conditions and guarantees."
In recent months, rebels have detained numerous U.N. staff, as well as individuals connected to aid organizations, civil society, and the former U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen's capital.
The Houthis' spokesperson did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
According to the U.N., this pause is intended to allow both the Houthis and the U.N. time to "arrange the release of arbitrarily detained U.N. personnel and ensure the proper conditions are in place to provide critical humanitarian aid" in areas controlled by the rebels.
The statement also mentioned that the most recent U.N. detentions included six staff members in Saada, located along Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia, which has hindered the U.N.'s operations.
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