Deputy United Nations spokesperson Farhan Haq announced on Monday that the agency suspended all operations in Yemen's Sa'ada governorate after more of its staff were detained by the Houthis.
Haq added that the "extraordinary" decision to pause all operations and programs in northern Saada province was due to a lack of "necessary security conditions and guarantees." The rebels in recent months have detained dozens of UN staffers, as well as individuals associated with aid groups.
"This pause is to give time to the de facto authorities and the United Nations to arrange the release of arbitrarily detained UN personnel and ensure that the necessary conditions are in place to deliver critical humanitarian support guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality, independence and humanity," the statement read.
