The United Nations said on Friday that the Houthis who control northern Yemen had detained an unspecified number of U.N. personnel, and it was suspending movement in all Houthi-held areas while seeking the detainees' immediate release.

The United Nations has announced that the Houthis, controlling northern Yemen, have detained several UN personnel. In response, the UN has suspended staff movement in Houthi areas while demanding their release.

The UN said that the Houthis who control northern Yemen had detained an unspecified number of UN personnel, and it was suspending movement in Houthi-led areas.

Shipping companies expressed caution about using the shorter route between Asia and Europe that many ships have avoided for more than a year.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have signaled they will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships as a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip takes hold.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has released the crew of a cargo ship more than a year after its fighters hijacked the vessel in the Red Sea, as part of its campaign of attacks in support of Hamas in its war against Israel.