World Bulletin / News Desk

Houthi forces on Friday abducted Yemeni lawmaker Ahmed al-Hajj and three of his sons after storming his home in the central Ibb province, eyewitnesses have said.

According to witnesses, Houthi militants stormed the home of the lawmaker – who is affiliated with the Islah party – in Ibb's Siyani district, taking him and his sons to an unknown location.

The Muslim Brotherhood-linked Islah party, for its part, has yet to comment on the reported abductions.

Fractious Yemen has remained in turmoil since last September, when the Houthi militant group overran capital Sanaa, from which it has since sought to extend its influence to other parts of the country.

On March 25, Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies began an extensive air campaign that continues to target Houthi positions across Yemen.

Riyadh says its anti-Houthi campaign comes in response to appeals by embattled Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi – who is currently in Riyadh, along with most of his government – for military intervention against the powerful group.

The Houthis, for their part, denounce the offensive as unwarranted "Saudi-American aggression" against Yemen.