International Community Condemns Imprisonment of 11 Government Officers in Yemen by Houthi Rebels

In a troubling turn of events, the ceasefire between the Houthis, Yemen's Shia movement backed by Iran, and the United States' main ally, Israel, has been marred by mutual attacks. The latest escalation began in October 2023, with the Houthis launching several missile attacks against Israel.

Last Thursday, Israeli attacks on Yemeni soil resulted in the tragic death of high-ranking officials of the government controlled by the Houthis, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The Houthis have vowed to avenge his death.

Following these attacks, the Houthis announced the appointment of Mohammed Ahmad Mouftah as interim prime minister. This appointment was also recognised by the National Salvation Government of Palestine, which had previously been led by Ahmed al-Rahawi.

The "resistance axis" against Israel, led and funded by Iran, includes the Houthis, as well as extremist groups such as the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Amidst this escalating conflict, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has called for diplomacy. He urged all parties to use "available diplomatic channels to reduce tension" and expressed concern about Yemen becoming a battlefield for a wider geopolitical conflict.

Grundberg's concerns were further highlighted by the new wave of arbitrary arrests in Sana'a and Hodeida, the invasion of UN facilities, and the seizure of property belonging to the international organization.

Under the ceasefire, the Houthis had agreed to stop attacking US interests in the region, including ships in the Red Sea. However, the recent attacks indicate a troubling deviation from this agreement.

As the situation unfolds, the international community, including the UN, continues to call for peace and diplomacy to prevent Yemen from becoming a battleground in a wider conflict.