Update on the Human Rights Situation in Yemen and the Need to Secure the Release of Arbitrarily Detained Humanitarian Workers

The human rights and humanitarian situations in Yemen remain dire, and the country continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 22.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict has recently escalated between Houthi forces on one side and Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni governments on the other. This escalation is aggravated by the regional conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, which has also involved Gulf states. This briefing examines the current risks to civilians including civilians at further risks, their rights and access to humanitarian assistance, food, health and other essential services. In July 2026, parties to the conflict in Yemen carried out attacks that may be in violation of international humanitarian law. This includes the Houthis’ continued attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as well as attacks against likely civilian objects such as airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and other civilian targets in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition and the Yemeni government has conducted airstrikes against civilian objects in Houthi-controlled territory such as Sanaa Airport. Yemeni warring parties have perpetrated human rights violations throughout the country, particularly the Houthis, the Yemeni government, and the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The Houthis have continued to arbitrarily detain at least 73 UN staff along with dozens of civil society staff. The arrests have undermined aspects of the humanitarian response at a time when food insecurity is worsening and aid operations are being reduced because of funding cuts, security risks, and restrictions imposed by the Houthis. The Houthis, along with the STC and the Yemeni government, continue to detain journalists and restrict civic space in the areas under their control, including suppressing peaceful protest. Landmines, primarily laid by the Houthis, continue to claim the lives of civili