(MENAFN) The United Nations announced on Wednesday that 12 of its international staff members who had been held inside a UN compound in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have departed the country on a UN Humanitarian Air Service flight.

"Earlier today, 12 UN international staff who were amongst those previously held in the UN compound in Yemen departed Sana’a on a UN Humanitarian Air Service flight. Three other staff who were detained in the compound are free to move or travel," the UN spokesperson’s office said in a statement.

Despite their departure, the UN confirmed that 53 of its personnel remain arbitrarily detained by the de facto Houthi authorities, along with staff from non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and diplomatic missions.

"The UN, at all levels, continues to be seized with the matter and is in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Sana’a and with concerned Member States and partners to secure their release," the statement added.

The organization reiterated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ demand for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all detained aid workers.

The development comes after Houthi forces stormed a UN residential compound in Sanaa last week and detained several UN staff members.

Yemen continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian and economic crises, driven by nearly a decade of war between government forces and the Houthi movement.

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