Riyadh — U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin has strongly condemned the continued detention of American embassy staff by the Houthi group in the Yemeni capital, describing the four-year ordeal as “unlawful imprisonment and a blatant violation of human dignity.”

In a statement issued on the 90th day of renewed Houthi detentions targeting international personnel, Ambassador Fagin highlighted the plight of twelve current and former Yemeni employees of the U.S. Mission to Yemen, who have been held for over 1,000 days without due process.

“That the Houthis have committed these extreme actions against fellow Yemenis is profoundly shortsighted, callous, and inhumane,” Fagin said, emphasizing that the detentions reflect a disregard for basic human rights and international diplomatic norms.

The ambassador’s remarks come amid growing international concern over the Houthis’ escalating campaign of detaining staff from the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and foreign diplomatic missions. The U.S. State Department has also condemned the actions, calling for the “unconditional and immediate release” of all detainees and accusing the Houthis of undermining efforts toward de-escalation and peace.

Fagin reiterated Washington’s support for the United Nations and other international bodies working to secure the release of the detainees, warning that such violations further isolate the Houthis and damage their credibility on the global stage.

The detained staff, many of whom served in administrative and support roles at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa before its suspension in 2015, have reportedly been held in undisclosed locations under harsh conditions. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for transparency and accountability in their cases. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen has operated remotely since 2015, following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa. Despite diplomatic efforts, the group has refused to release the detained employees or provide legal justification for their continued captivity.