Yemeni security officials said suspected Shiite rebels have kidnapped the country’s second highest intelligence official from his house in the capital Sanaa.
The officials and a person close to Maj. Gen. Yehia al-Marani said the gunmen came to his house at dawn Thursday, and demanded that he come with them. The person close to al-Marani said he ordered his guards to put their guns down to avoid a firefight. The associate and the officials identified the gunmen as Shiite rebels known as the Houthis, who took control of Sanaa in September, challenging the central government.
It is not clear why they wanted al-Marani, who is in charge of internal security. The associate spoke anonymously for fear of retribution, while the officials are not authorized to brief reporters.
