SANAA (REUTERS) - Armed Houthi rebels in the Yemeni capital Sanaa seized US embassy vehicles after the ambassador and diplomats left the country on Wednesday, local members of embassy staff told Reuters.

The employees said that more than 20 vehicles were taken by the fighters after the Americans departed from Sanaa's airport.

The United States, Britain and France have closed their embassies and evacuated staff as the security situation in Yemen has unravelled following the group's formal takeover of power last week.

US embassy staff in Yemen destroyed weapons, computers and documents before closing and evacuating diplomats on Wednesday, local members of staff told Reuters.