Yemen’s Houthi rebels detain at least 9 UN staffers and others in sudden crackdown - AP sources

 At least nine Yemeni employees of United Nations agencies have been detained by Yemen’s Houti rebels under unclear circumstances, The Associated Press reports citing regional officials. Others working for aid groups also likely have been taken.

The detentions come as the Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, the report adds.

Regional officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief journalists, confirmed the U.N. detentions. Those held include staff from the U.N. human rights agency, its development program, the World Food Program and one working for the office of its special envoy, the officials said. The wife of one of those held is also detained.

The U.N. declined to immediately comment.