SANAA, Dec 27: Negotiations regarding the release of 13 UN personnel detained by the Houthi group in Sanaa concluded on Thursday, as stated by Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“We continue to urge for the immediate release of those detained,” Ghebreyesus expressed on the social media platform X.
The UN had confirmed in June that these 13 staff members were detained by the Houthis, who accused them of engaging in espionage on behalf of the United States.
Meanwhile, Ghebreyesus reported that the Sanaa International Airport was subjected to aerial bombardments just as he and other UN and WHO officials were about to depart from the Yemeni capital.
“One crew member from our flight sustained injuries. Additionally, at least two fatalities were reported at the airport, with damage inflicted upon the air traffic control tower, the departure lounge—located mere meters from where we were—and the runway,” he mentioned.
The WHO chief noted that while he and his colleagues are unharmed, they will need to wait until repairs are completed at the airport before their departure.
On Thursday, Israel pledged to eliminate Houthi leaders and weaken the group’s military capabilities following the launch of “intelligence-based” airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled military sites along Yemen’s western coast and further inland.
The Houthis, who control a significant portion of northern Yemen, have intensified rocket and drone assaults against Israel and disrupted shipping linked to Israel in the Red Sea since November 2023, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict with Israeli forces.
(UNI)
