US and allies discuss detentions by Houthis with Yemen

Washington: The United States and some European allies this week met with officials from the internationally recognised Yemeni government to discuss detentions of United Nations and nongovernmental organisation staff by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the State Department said on Friday.

"These individuals must be released immediately, and all staff must be allowed to perform their work without fear of unjustified detention or intimidation," the State Department said in a statement.

The Iran-aligned Houthis control Yemen's capital and most populous areas.