UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday condemned the additional detention of UN personnel by the Houthis in Yemen.

In a press statement, the members of the council strongly condemned the detention since Aug. 31 of at least 21 UN personnel by the Houthis, as well as the forced entry into premises of the World Food Programme and the UN Children's Fund, and the seizure of UN property.

They stressed that the safety and security of UN personnel and property, as well as the inviolability of UN premises, must be guaranteed at all times.

The council members demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained by the Houthis and reiterated that all threats to those delivering humanitarian aid and assistance are unacceptable.

They expressed their grave concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen and stressed that unimpeded humanitarian access is essential. They noted alarmingly high levels of food insecurity among the Yemeni population and expressed their concern that detentions of aid workers risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

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