Kuwait City: France strongly condemned the recent random arrest of UN staff by the Houthi militia in Yemen. The French Foreign Ministry demanded, in a statement on Saturday, immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, including those from NGOs and diplomatic missions. It emphasized that these actions impede essential aid delivery and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The statement reaffirmed France's strong support for the United Nations' efforts in the region, especially in light of reports that the Houthis have detained more staff members following the arrest of 13 employees last June.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the French statement highlighted the urgent need for cooperation from all parties in Yemen to ensure the safety and security of international staff working in the country. It called on the Houthi militia to respect international law and human rights obligations, stressing the importance of allowing humanitarian operations to proceed without hindrance. The ongoing detentions have raised concerns about the safety of international personnel and the ability of organizations to provide much-needed assistance to the Yemeni population.