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.