UN Urges Action After Yemen Detentions, Sudan, Ukraine Attacks

A woman in Yemen walks through an area devastated by floods.

The UN Secretary-General on Friday condemned the arbitrary detention of 10 additional UN personnel by Houthi authorities in Yemen, warning that the crackdown is crippling humanitarian operations and putting millions of lives at risk.

This latest incident, which occurred on Thursday, brings the total number of UN staff currently held by the Houthis to 69.

“These detentions have made delivering humanitarian aid in Houthi-controlled areas untenable, directly affecting millions of people in need,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

“The Secretary-General calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel from the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions,” he added. He also urged the Houthis to rescind the referral of UN personnel for prosecution and respect international law, including UN privileges and immunities, which are essential for safe humanitarian operations.

The UN will continue efforts with Member States, the Security Council, and through direct engagement with the Houthis to secure the release of all detained colleagues.

Bodies of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Repatriated

The bodies of six UN peacekeepers killed in a drone attack on their camp in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, last weekend were returned to Bangladesh on Friday.

The peacekeepers, serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), included Corporal Muhammed Masud Rana (37), Private Muhammed Sabuj Mia (29), Private Muhammed Jahangir Alam (29), Private Santo Mondol (26), Private Shamin Reza (28), and Private Muhammed Mominul Islam (35).

“We extend our deepest condolences to their families, colleagues, and the people of Bangladesh,” Dujarric said. He stressed that attacks on UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Eight of the nine injured peacekeepers are receiving treatment in Nairobi, Kenya, while one has been discharged after care at the Abyei mission medical facility.

Attacks Disrupt Services in Ukraine

A wave of Russian attacks severely disrupted critical services in Ukraine, worsening humanitarian needs amid harsh winter conditions, according to the UN aid coordination office (OCHA).

Between Thursday and early Friday, several fatalities occurred and more than 30 people were injured, according to Ukrainian authorities. A bridge and railway station were struck in Odesa, killing a woman and injuring her three children and other civilians. Attacks on energy infrastructure left about 270,000 people without water, 85,000 without heating, and 75,000 without electricity.

Humanitarian convoys delivered medicines, hygiene supplies, and other essentials to affected communities in Kherson. So far this year, 29 convoys have reached over 30,000 residents.

Burundi Faces Refugee Surge

More than 84,000 people have crossed into Burundi from South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since earlier this month, raising the total number of Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers in the country to over 200,000.

Transit centers and informal sites hosting new arrivals are operating beyond capacity, in some cases by more than 200%, according to UNHCR reports. Across the border, violence in South Kivu has displaced over 500,000 Congolese.

UNHCR is seeking $47 million over the next four months to support 500,000 internally displaced people in the DRC and up to 166,000 refugees in Burundi, Rwanda, and neighboring countries.