American teacher abducted in Sana’a

Armed gunmen dressed in civilian clothing abducted an American teacher from an English language school in Houthi controlled Sana’a yesterday.

“We were shocked when the armed group entered the building. They got to his office and took him to an unknown location,” the victim’s Yemeni colleague told Reuters.

Reuters then contacted the US Department of State which said: “We are aware of reports of US citizens being held in Yemen. Privacy considerations prevent us from commenting further on this case.”

Since the Houthi takeover of Yemen’s capital city in 2014, there has been a spike in the kidnapping of both foreigners and Yemeni nationals being kidnapped.

Yemen’s neighbouring country Oman has been a prime party in mediating talks between the American government and Houthis to release kidnapped American nationals.