Fifteen foreigners and five local workers are among the hostages
In the capital of Yemen Sani militants of the Shiite group Ansar Allah (Houthis) 20 UN staff members were taken prisoner after the storming of the organisation's office.
This was reported by the newspaper Letters. with reference to local sources.
According to preliminary data, the detainees include five Yemenis and 15 foreign employees, who are still locked in the building.
The UN has confirmed the attack and is conducting urgent negotiations on their release.
Second attack in two months
This is already the second incident in the last two months. In late August, the Houthis also stormed the office of the international mission, accusing UN representatives of espionage in favour of the United States and Israel.
Then the group detained at least 40 employees of international organisations, some of whom have not yet been released.
The purpose of pressure on international structures
Analysts believe that attacks on UN offices are attempts to put pressure on international organisations, who criticise the Houthis for human rights violations and Use of hostages as a political tool.
The UN condemned the group's actions and called for immediate ensure the safety of staff and access to humanitarian aid.
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