UN says more staff detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen

Beirut, Jan 25, (dpa/GNA) – The United Nations said on Friday, that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have once again detained its personnel in the war-wracked country.

They were detained in areas controlled by the Iran-backed militia, the UN Yemen office said. To protect employees, all official movements in these areas are suspended until further notice, it said.

The incident occurred on Thursday. Further details were not initially released, including how many people were affected.

The militia has not commented on the incident. The Houthis have previously detained United Nations employees on several occasions.

The Houthis are the de facto authorities in the areas they control, including the capital Sana’a, as they have taken over the administration, security forces and judiciary there.

However, they are not recognized internationally as the legitimate government of the country.

Yemen has been in the throes of a devastating conflict between the internationally recognized government, Houthi rebels and their allies, since late 2014.

Saudi Arabia, a bitter rival of Iran, is supporting the government in its fight against the Houthis.

According to the United Nations, the conflict in Yemen has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with the country on the brink of famine.

GNA