US citizen detained in Sana’a — colleagues

Yemen’s Al Houthi militants have detained a US citizen in the capital Sana’a for reasons that were not immediately clear, two colleagues of the man said on Monday.

The Iran-aligned Al Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including Sana’a, and are battling a Saudi-led coalition that is trying to restore the internationally recognised government.

Nadia Burch told Reuters that her husband, Danny Lavon Burch, was seized on Saturday after taking his children to school. He had been working in Yemen since the late 1980s, currently with the oil company Safer, said Burch, a Yemeni.

“He has no problems or disputes with anyone, which is why he didn’t leave as others did,” she said. “I ask for the release of my husband and his safe return to me.” A US State Department official said they were aware and concerned about the report.

The Al Houthi movement did not respond to a request for comment and the Safer oil company was also not immediately available for comment.

Two of Danny Burch’s colleagues in Sana’a said Al Houthi forces were responsible. But Nadia said the kidnappers had not contacted her and she was unsure of their identity.