DUBAI, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi forces have detained a U.S. citizen in the capital Sanaa, two local sources said on Monday, adding it was unclear why he was being held.

The Iran-aligned Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, and are battling a Saudi-led coalition that is trying to restore the internationally recognised government.

The U.S. national works for the Yemeni oil company Safer and was detained after taking his children to school, two of his colleagues said, adding that he was married to a Yemeni woman and had lived in Yemen for many years.

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The U.S. Embassy to Yemen was unable to confirm or deny the report. The Houthi movement did not respond to a request for comment and the Safer oil company was also not immediately available for comment.