Houthis take control of U.N. Human Rights Office

The emboldened rebel Houthis have seized control of a U.N. Human Rights Office in Yemen’s capital of Sanaa.

The Iranian proxy group has possessed the building since Aug. 3, when they forced United Nations staff to turn over all belongings, documents and vehicles.

U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called it a serious attack. He also called for the immediate release of 13 U.N. staffers who were detained by the Houthis at the start of the summer. The rebels claim they are part of an “American-Israeli spy network.”

The chief’s office denied the charges and said the Houthis must respect the organization’s independence.