Topic: Two Americans and four other hostages released by Houthi rebels (Read 186 times)

Six foreigners were detained earlier this year, after ‘entering the country illegally’

Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels have released six foreigners they were holding hostage, according to airport officials and Houthi officials.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity on Sunday because they were not authorised to speak to reporters, said the six were flying out of the country’s capital, Sana’a, to the Gulf nation of Oman, which negotiated their release.

The hostages, who were detained earlier this year, are three Americans, two Saudis and a British national. Their identities have not been revealed.

The White House welcomed the release of the two Americans. The US secretary of state said in a statement: “We have said that their release has been our focus since we first learned of their detention, and the administration has been in regular contact with their families and representatives.

“I want to express my appreciation to all involved in producing this outcome, especially the government of Oman under the leadership of his majesty Sultan Qaboos, our ambassadors to Yemen and Oman and their teams, and our interagency partners.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to pursue the release of all Americans detained abroad unjustly, including those who remain in the region.”

A statement from the national security council did not identify them or detail the circumstances of their captivity or their release.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/20/one-briton-and-five-other-hostages-released-by-houthi-rebels