NEW YORK: Twelve international United Nations employees who had been held by Yemen’s Houthis inside their compound flew out of the rebel-held capital on Wednesday, the UN said. The Iran-backed Houthis raided the UN compound in the capital Sanaa last weekend, holding 20 staff, including 15 foreigners. Five Yemeni nationals were released on Sunday. The rebels have harassed and detained UN staff and aid workers for years, accusing them of spying, but they have accelerated arrests since the start of the Gaza war.

Houthis release detained UN staff in Sanaa amid ongoing crackdown, escalating tensions following recent Israeli strikes on rebel leaders.

ADEN, Yemen: Houthi rebels released five Yemeni United Nations staff members and allowed 15 international ones to move freely within the UN compound after detaining them there in…