Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Olivia Blair

Six foreign hostages released by Houthi rebels in Yemen

Houthi rebels, Al Qaeda and a Saudi-led coalition of Arab forces are locked in a power struggle in Yemen (Getty) (Getty)

Houthi rebels in Yemen have released six foreign hostages, including a Briton.

According to the rebels and anonymous officials at Sana’a International Airport, the six hostages were released after being held captive for the past five months.

The freed hostages are thought to have boarded a plane heading for Oman, a country which reportedly played a part in negotiating their release.

The hostages include one Briton, three Americans and two Saudis.

Read more: Saudi blockade starves Yemen of vital supplies
'Most peaceful country in Middle East' sends troops to Yemen
Yemen mosque bombing: 20 killed by 'Islamic Satte' blasts
 

Houthi officials did not give the reason why the hostages were captured in the first place but one of the hostages is a journalist who they said “entered the country illegally” and “worked without notifying the authorities".

Last month al-Qaeda in Yemen released 64-year-old British oil worker Bob Semple, who was held for 18 months.

Additional reporting by AP

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.