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American Held by Houthi Rebels in Yemen Dies in Detention

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Shiite fighters, known as Houthis, guard a street leading to a tribal gathering to show support for the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen on Oct. 10, 2015.
Shiite fighters, known as Houthis, guard a street leading to a tribal gathering to show support for the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen on Oct. 10, 2015.Hani Mohammed—AP
By Abigail Williams and Phil Helsel / NBC News

An American being held by Houthi rebels in Yemen has died while in detention, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.

John Hamen, a contractor at a building being used by the United Nations, was detained by rebels at the Sanaa airport on Oct. 20, State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said.

A cause of death has not been determined, Toner said, and no other details were released. Shiite Houthi rebels have been fighting against government forces.

“We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. State Department officials provided all possible consular assistance to the family,” William Cocks, a spokesperson…

Read the rest of the story from our partners at NBC News.

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