As many as 12 United Nations international staff detained last week by the Houthis in Yemen’s capital Sanaa were released and flown out of the country, said a statement from UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg’s office. Three other detained UN employees were also free to move or travel, the statement said yesterday. A UN plane was seen departing Sanaa airport, according to an airport employee. Despite the releases, 53 UN colleagues remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthi group, the statement said, renewing the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate and unconditional release. The Houthis raided the UN compound in Sanaa last weekend, holding 20 staff, including 15 foreigners, inside the compound. Five Yemeni nationals were released on Sunday.