Houthis launch missile at Israel, detain UN staff

The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday intercepted a Houthi missile launched from Yemen that triggered sirens across central Israel, the military said. 

The United Nations, in turn, said that at least 19 UN employees have been detained by Iranian-backed Houthis during raids on UN offices in Yemen’s capital of Sanaa.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said 18 of those being held are Yemeni staffers and one is an international employee. He called for all to be released immediately.

In late August, Israeli aircraft attacked the Yemeni capital, killing a number of Houthi officials. It was followed by Sunday’s raids on offices of the UN agencies in Sanaa.