U.S. Department of State
10/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/19/2026 08:01
On the Five-Year Anniversary of the Unjust Detention of U.S. Embassy Sana’a Staff
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On the Five-Year Anniversary of the Unjust Detention of U.S. Embassy Sana'a Staff
Today marks five years since the Iran-backed Houthis unjustly detained more than twenty current and former staff of the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a. For five years, these innocent people and their families have endured separation, intimidation, and abuse.
Their only "crime" was working honorably to build peaceful relations and shared prosperity for Americans and Yemenis, to include delivering humanitarian and development assistance to the very communities the Houthis claim to represent. The Houthis' continued detention of their fellow Yemenis stands as further evidence that the group relies on fear and violence against their own people to sustain their hold on territory.
We have not forgotten our colleagues. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained U.S. Mission staff and other unjustly detained individuals.
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