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Yemen's Houthi rebels have issued an order for American and British personnel associated with the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations to vacate the country within a month, as reported by a Houthi official. This directive follows recent military actions by the United States and the United Kingdom against the Iran-aligned rebel group, which has been conducting attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The strikes by the US and UK forces are linked to the Houthi group's targeting of ships in the Red Sea, with claims of focusing on vessels associated with Israel during Tel Aviv's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The US government had earlier classified the Houthis as a terrorist group in response to their attacks, aligning itself in solidarity with the Palestinians.
A letter from the Houthi foreign ministry to the UN's acting humanitarian coordinator in Yemen conveyed the directive, stating, "The ministry... would like to stress that you must inform officials and workers with US and British citizenships to prepare to leave the country within 30 days." Additionally, the letter instructed foreign organizations not to engage the services of individuals with US and UK citizenships for operations in Yemen.
This move further underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, with the conflict involving not only local actors but also drawing in international powers. The evacuation order for US and UK personnel raises concerns about the impact on humanitarian efforts in Yemen and adds another layer of tension to an already volatile situation.
