For several hours on Wednesday, armed members of the Houthi movement searched the offices of the humanitarian organization in Sanaa, Yemen's capital. No one was injured – yet it was a shock to ICRC staff.
According to the Geneva Convention, the neutrality of the International Committee of the Red Cross must be respected, but the Houthi rebels were not interested in such “details”.
According to local media, armed Houthi rebels raided the ICRC offices in the capital, Sanaa, confiscating phones and laptops. For several hours, the Red Cross team in Yemen, led by Christine Cipolla, a Swiss citizen, was unable to contact the organization's headquarters in Geneva.
— After a few hours, it was all over, says Mirjana Spoljarić Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in an interview for Blick. — Neither international nor local staff have been detained.
Mirjana Spoljarić Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, speaks at the European headquarters of the United Nations. Geneva, October 16, 2025EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI / PAP
Meaning that denies reports that some employees have been temporarily detained.
Humanitarian organizations targeted by militias. “No specific explanation provided”
The Red Cross is not the only international organization targeted by the Houthi rebels. Armed militia members also stormed the headquarters of the UN refugee aid organization UNHCR on Wednesday. According to media reports several local workers were detained for hoursand electronic equipment was confiscated.
United Nations representatives have been exposed to Houthi attacks for months. Employees were also abducted. According to UN data the militia still holds 53 employees. Due to the civil war, Yemen is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
The aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was also hit. “On November 4 and 5, members of the Ansar Allah National Security Service broke into MSF's offices and headquarters in Sana'a. They searched our buildings for several hours – in the presence of our employees. MSF is currently investigating why these searches took place. So far, no specific results or explanations have been provided,” Médecins Sans Frontières representatives tell Blick.
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Houthi rebels have repeatedly suspected aid organizations of spying for hostile powers.
The President of the ICRC says it plainly: the humanitarian needs in Yemen are very great
— All international organizations are subject to such measures. We deeply regret this incident, says Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. — We don't accept this and We are having confidential conversations so that we can continue our work.
Commenting on the situation on the ground, he adds: – The humanitarian needs in Yemen are very great. We are one of the few organizations that enjoy the trust of those in power and can help on the spot.
A local Red Cross team is working to investigate the incident. “Something like this can't happen again. We demand that all parties and authorities respect our neutralityindependence and impartiality and did not prevent us from implementing our programs, which are purely humanitarian, emphasizes Spoljaric Egger. — We demand protection of our headquarters and our employees.
The Red Cross team on the ground is coping well under the circumstances. — Our work in Yemen continues. We remain present on the ground, says the ICRC President.
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