Houthi rebels in Yemen have told aid workers from the UK and the US to leave the country within a month, following a second round of airstrikes by the two countries.
Houthi authorities in Yemen have ordered aid workers from the UK and the US to leave the country within a month.
The foreign affairs ministry, which is under Houthi control, sent a letter to the UN coordinator in the country, asking them to inform all humanitarian organisations of the decision.
The letter comes after the UK and the US launched a second round of airstrikes against Houthi targets, in response to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The letter also urges aid agencies not to hire any staff with dual citizenship from the UK and the US during this period.
The letter says: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen conveys its best regards to the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sanaa, and through them to all offices of humanitarian organisations working in the Republic of Yemen.
“The ministry would like to stress the need to notify all officials and workers who hold American and British citizenship of their readiness to leave the country within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of this notice so they will be prepared to depart as soon as the period mentioned expires, and the ministry will make sure to inform you by a ministerial letter 24 hours before departure.
“The ministry also requests [the humanitarian organisations] not to employ any staff with dual nationalities from those countries referred to above during this period.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen seizes this opportunity to express its appreciation and respect to the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator.”
The UK and the US said the airstrikes were aimed at stopping the Houthi raids on international trade and the safety of sailors.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps praised the success of the operation on X last night.
He wrote: “I want to thank all members of the Armed Forces involved in last night’s operations against Houthi sites.
“Their commitment, professionalism and skill made the operation a success, reducing the abilities that the Houthis use to endanger global trade and the lives of innocent mariners,” he said.
The airstrikes hit a Houthi underground storage facility and sites related to the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities, according to a joint statement from the UK, US, Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
The Ministry of Defense said four RAF Typhoons, supported by two Voyager tankers, “joined US forces in a planned strike against Houthi sites in Yemen”.
It said Paveway IV precision-guided bombs were used to hit “multiple targets at two military sites near Sanaa airfield”.
The MoD said: “These sites were being used to facilitate the ongoing unacceptable attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea.”
It said a “very thorough analysis” was used to minimise any risk of civilian casualties, which included the choice to attack at night.
The Houthis back Hamas and have been attacking ships they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. However, some of the group’s attacks have been on vessels from other countries.
