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The Houthi rebels have freed five Yemeni United Nations workers who were held during the weekend, although 15 foreign employees are still restricted within a UN facility, as reported by an official from the organization.

Twenty UN employees were held within the compound in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen under Houthi control, after the militant group entered the area on Saturday, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The insurgents have departed the compound, allowing international UN staff to now navigate the premises freely, as stated by Dujarric.

“We trust they will have the freedom to exit the compound as soon as feasible,” he stated late on Monday.

The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have been conducting a prolonged campaign against the UN and other international organizations operating in Yemen’s areas controlled by the rebels, such as Sanaa, the coastal city of Hodeida, and the group’s main base in the northern province of Sadaa.

The Houthis have consistently asserted, without proof, that the detained UN personnel and workers from other organizations and embassies were intelligence agents. The United Nations has refuted these claims.

At least 53 United Nations employees have been unlawfully held by the Houthis since 2021 — this figure excludes the most recent event — as stated by Dujarric.

The UN representative also mentioned that Secretary-General António Guterres had conversations with the foreign ministers and leaders of Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia on Monday about the detention of the organization’s personnel.

While the UN is involved in delicate discussions with the Houthis, Dujarric stated that it is crucial for member nations with regional influence—such as those three countries—to utilize their power to help secure the release of both international and local personnel.

Funeral for military chief

On Monday morning, the Houthis conducted a funeral ceremony for their military chief of staff, who was killed in an Israeli attack, drawing a crowd of over 1,000 people in Sanaa.

The rebels admitted last week that Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari died in an Israeli air attack together with other Houthi officials. The Houthis did not specify the timing of the strike.

Around two months ago, Israeli air strikes resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Houthi government officials in Sanaa, among them their prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi.

The United States and Israel initiated an aerial and maritime operation targeting the Houthis following the rebels’ missile and drone strikes on Israel and vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have stated that their actions are in support of the Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza.

Over the last two years, their assaults have disrupted maritime traffic in the Red Sea, a critical route for goods valued at no less than €850 billion annually.

In 2014, Yemen was thrown into a civil conflict as the Houthis, also referred to as Ansar Allah, took control of Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen, leading to the government that was recognized by the international community going into exile.

The conflict has been at a standstill in recent years, and the group, labeled as a terrorist organization by certain nations, entered into an agreement with Saudi Arabia that halted their attacks on the country in exchange for the Saudi-led operations against their areas coming to an end.