Yemen: Abductions hit churches hard

The church in Yemen is “struggling” following the abduction of at least 43 Christians by Houthi rebels since the beginning of January.

Believers have been kidnapped from local streets in Houthi-controlled areas and then tortured, with attackers believed to be trying to obtain information about other Christians before imprisoning them.

The reason for the attacks is not entirely clear, but the number of attacks has increased exponentially since October, as revealed by Open Doors. The organisation’s expert on Yemen, Daniel Hodge*, told en that the capture of even just 50 Christians is a “significant blow” to a “relatively small” church, which meets secretly underground.

Hodge revealed that the Yemeni church has long faced “violations of religious freedom from their families as well as the authorities”, but had at least been able to meet underground and share the gospel secretly online amidst lower-scale persecution before the recent escalation.

While the motivation behind the abductions is not immediately obvious, Hodge believes that extremists, such as the Houthis, “definitely want to see Christians leave Yemen”, along with other minorities who do not adhere to their beliefs.

Highlighting the huge impact that increasing persecution is having on the church, he said: “The church in Yemen is struggling. Fifty-plus Christians abducted and imprisoned is a significant blow to a relatively small church. One person imprisoned has an influence on different levels.

“Meetings are being cancelled, Christians are panicking and changing their numbers, some are moving, and this hinders their communication with each other. In short, this crackdown is crippling the church in Yemen and will have serious repercussions in the future as well, discouraging seekers and hindering Christians from their roles in pastoring, discipling, encouraging, teaching and much more.”

*Name changed.