Paris/Aden – French government has issued a strong call for the immediate and unconditional release of United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers detained by Houthi forces in Yemen, condemning the arrests as a violation of international humanitarian law.

In an official statement, France denounced the arbitrary detention of dozens of local and international staff members, including employees of the World Food Programme and other UN agencies, some of whom have been held for over a year. The detentions have severely disrupted humanitarian operations, particularly in the Saada Governorate, where aid delivery has been suspended for months.

“These actions not only endanger the lives of humanitarian workers but also deepen the suffering of the Yemeni people,” said Ms. Isis Jaraud-Darnault, France’s Political Coordinator to the United Nations, during a recent Security Council session. She emphasized that the Houthis must guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian missions and cease all threats and disinformation campaigns targeting aid organizations.

The French statement also echoed concerns raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who condemned the recent seizure of UN property and the attempted raids on UN premises in Sanaa. Guterres reiterated that UN personnel must never be targeted or detained while carrying out their duties.

France reaffirmed its support for the UN Special Envoy’s efforts to revive the peace process and warned that continued provocations—such as attacks in the Red Sea and the targeting of humanitarian staff—risk escalating the conflict and undermining regional stability.