Yemeni authorities reported on Friday that 11 Yemeni employees of United Nations agencies have been detained by the country’s Houthi rebels under unclear circumstances. The detentions come as the Houthis face increasing financial pressure and airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition, as well as heightened tensions in the Red Sea corridor due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

In addition to the U.N. staffers, employees of various aid groups have also been taken into custody across four Houthi-controlled provinces: Amran, Hodeida, Saada, and Sanaa. The detained U.N. employees include six from the human rights agency, and one each from the special envoy’s office, development arm, UNICEF, the World Food Program, and UNESCO.

U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric expressed concern over the detentions and stated that the organization is actively seeking clarification from the Houthi authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the detentions. The U.N. is pursuing all available channels to secure the safe and unconditional release of its personnel as quickly as possible.

Several aid groups, including Save the Children and CARE International, have also reported staff members being detained without explanation. Human rights organizations and activists have called on the Houthis to immediately release those detained, warning that failing to do so could further isolate Yemen from the international community.

The detentions come amid growing economic pressures faced by the Houthis, who have sought to introduce a new coin into the Yemeni currency, the riyal, in an apparent attempt to address financial challenges. The move has been criticized by Yemen’s exiled government in Aden and other nations, who accuse the Houthis of resorting to counterfeiting.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor, potentially as a means to deflect attention from their domestic problems and the stalemated war. The rebels have faced increasing casualties and damage from U.S.-led airstrikes in recent months.

The war in Yemen, which has been ongoing for nearly a decade, has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The Houthis have been accused of employing child soldiers, indiscriminately laying mines, and imprisoning thousands during the conflict.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the situation in Yemen, with concerns growing over the potential for a complete economic collapse and further human rights abuses.

Credit: AP

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the country’s economy is growing despite the heavy international sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine. Putin, who addressed the leaders of Bolivia and Zimbabwe as well as business leaders, emphasized that Russia remains a key player in world trade, despite the sanctions that have curtailed much of its trade with Western Europe, the U.S., and their allies.

The forum, which has traditionally served as a platform for Russia to showcase its economic development, has seen a notable absence of Western officials and investors since the imposition of sanctions. However, Putin highlighted Russia’s expanded economic ties with countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as he sought to court investors from these regions.

According to Putin, the main driver of Russia’s economic growth is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has become as important to the Kremlin economically as it is politically. While Russians have noticed the disappearance of some imported staples and global brands, most have been replaced by Russian equivalents. The economy has also received a strong boost from massive state spending on military equipment and substantial payments to volunteer soldiers.

Putin, who has tightly controlled his media appearances since the start of the military operation in Ukraine, took questions from international journalists on Wednesday, including some from Western countries he has criticized. During this meeting, Putin warned that Russia could provide long-range weapons to other countries to strike Western targets in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to use their arms to attack Russian territory. He also reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to use nuclear weapons if it perceives a threat to its sovereignty.

In a departure from last year’s forum, journalists from countries that Russia considers unfriendly, including the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union, were not invited to attend.

As Russia continues to navigate the economic challenges posed by international sanctions, Putin’s remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum serve as a testament to the country’s efforts to adapt and maintain its global economic presence, while also highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West.

Credit: AP