US contractor detained in Yemen has died: Officials

One of two Americans detained by Houthi fighters when they arrived to work in Yemen last month has died in custody, US officials said on Tuesday.

"We can confirm that US citizen John Hamen died in Yemen," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. "We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. State Department officials provided all possible consular assistance to the family. Out of respect for the privacy of Mr. Hamen’s family, we do not have any additional details to provide.”

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington had worked with a "third party" so that Hamen's remains would be returned.

US officials have been guarded about the case, citing privacy concerns, and the circumstances of the death and the victim's exact role in Yemen are not clear.

News reports from Hamen's home state of Ohio identified him as a US army veteran from the Cincinnati area, who graduated from high school in 1990.

His wife Jen wrote on her Facebook page that Hamen had been working as a contractor in Yemen, adding: "Our family is heartbroken right now.

"I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, and my seven kids have lost the best dad ever."   

Last month, the United Nations said that two foreign personnel working to maintain a building in Yemen used by UN staff had been detained in Sanaa.

The contract was not with the United Nations, and US officials said that the facility they were maintaining had previously been used by US diplomats.

The American team was withdrawn after the start of the current conflict in Yemen, and the building, part of a Sanaa hotel, was taken over by UN staff. 

Toner would not confirm whether the second detainee was also an American, but did say that it was his understanding that the victim died while detained by Houthi forces.

Condolences to family

Yemen is in a state of civil war, and the Houthis - a Zaidi Shia militia from the north of the country - control the capital Sanaa.

United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "We have been informed by the State Department of the death of one of the contractors.

"Obviously we send our deep condolences to his family, his wife, to his children," he added.   

"The other contractor as far as I understand remains in custody, but I have nothing to share with you as to discussions that may be going on."

The pair had arrived at the airport in Sanaa on 20 October and were taken into custody.

While the State Department has not publicly confirmed that the detainees were Americans, it has said it is "aware of reports" that two US citizens were taken.

Yemen is in a state of war between Houthi fighters and allied forces and a Saudi-led coalition supporting the official Yemeni government.

The United Nations has been trying to broker a ceasefire.