United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly criticized the decision by the Houthis to refer United Nations staff to a special criminal court in Yemen. The United Nations reports that 59 of its personnel, along with dozens from non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions, remain arbitrarily detained, some for years, without due process and in violation of international law. The United Nations has called for the immediate release of all detained personnel and emphasized that its staff are immune from legal proceedings for actions performed in their official capacity.

The Houthis have accused some detained United Nations workers of espionage and collaboration with Israel, but no independent evidence has substantiated these claims. In November, a Houthi-run court sentenced 18 Yemeni aid workers employed by United Nations agencies to death on charges of spying for Israel, with others receiving lengthy prison terms. The United Nations maintains its commitment to supporting the people of Yemen and providing humanitarian assistance despite these challenges.