Houthis Storm UN Offices in Sanaa Following Israeli Airstrike on Rebel Leadership

On Sunday, August 31, 2025, Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of United Nations agencies in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, detaining several staff members. The raids targeted the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF. A WFP spokesperson confirmed that local security forces entered their offices, resulting in the detention of a staff member. UNICEF also reported an "ongoing situation" but provided no further details.

These actions followed an Israeli airstrike on Thursday, August 28, which killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, along with several senior ministers. The Israeli military described the operation as a precision strike targeting officials involved in "terror actions" against Israel.

In response to the airstrike, Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat vowed revenge, stating that Israel would face "black days." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the strikes were "only the beginning" of Israel's campaign against the group, emphasizing that the Houthis would "pay a very heavy price for their aggression against the State of Israel."

The Houthis have previously targeted UN and other international organizations in their territory. The UN-backed Yemeni government's information minister, Moammar al-Eryani, condemned the recent raids, highlighting reports of additional abductions, including guards at a UNICEF facility.

Since 2014, Yemen has been divided between the Houthi-controlled north, including Sanaa, and a rival administration in the south. The Houthis have launched missiles at Israel and attacked vessels in the Red Sea, actions they claim are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.