International

Houthi rebels free 2 American citizens held captive in Yemen

Published

8 years ago

October 16, 2016

Houthi rebels free 2 American citizens held captive in Yemen

Two American citizens who were held captive by Houthi rebels in Yemen have been freed in Oman as part of an agreement negotiated by the State Department.

The deal by the US State Department and Houthi rebels saw some of the injured victims from a Saudi airstrike in Yemen last week that killed 150 people treated in Oman in exchange for the release of the two Americans who were earlier held captive.

“We welcome reports that two U.S. citizens who had been detained in Yemen were released and have arrived safely in Oman,” said Mark Toner, deputy spokesman for the State Department. “Consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Muscat stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance.

“We are deeply grateful to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and the Government of Oman for their assistance in facilitating and supporting the release of our citizens,” Toner said. “We recognize the humanitarian gesture by the Houthis in releasing these U.S. citizens. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of any other U.S. citizens who may still be held.”

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