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| British hostage 'held by al-Qaeda' in Yemen released | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British national being held hostage in Yemen has been released following a military operation, the Foreign Office has announced. | |
| Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the Briton had been freed by forces from the United Arab Emirates. | |
| The hostage, reportedly held since February 2014, is now "safe and well" and receiving support from British officials, Mr Hammond said. | |
| The UAE state news agency said the individual had been held by al-Qaeda. | |
| Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan informed David Cameron on Saturday, the WAM agency said. | |
| 'Civil war' | |
| The UK's prime minister tweeted: "I'm so pleased for the family of the British hostage in Yemen - who has been released safe and well. Thanks to the UAE for their help." | |
| Mr Hammond said: "We are very grateful for the assistance of the UAE." | |
| Yemen has seen conflicts between several different groups in recent months, pushing the country "to the edge of civil war", according to the UN's special adviser. | Yemen has seen conflicts between several different groups in recent months, pushing the country "to the edge of civil war", according to the UN's special adviser. |
| The main fight is between forces loyal to the President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and those allied to Zaidi Shia rebels known as Houthis, who forced Mr Hadi to flee the capital Sanaa in February. | The main fight is between forces loyal to the President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and those allied to Zaidi Shia rebels known as Houthis, who forced Mr Hadi to flee the capital Sanaa in February. |
| Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has also staged numerous deadly attacks from its strongholds in the south and south-east of the country. | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has also staged numerous deadly attacks from its strongholds in the south and south-east of the country. |
| 'High presence' | |
| Iona Craig, a freelance journalist in the country, told BBC News she was in Sana'a when the Briton was taken hostage last February. | |
| She said the individual had been forced from a car by gunmen and had been missing since. | |
| At the time, there were attempted kidnappings on "an almost weekly basis" in the city, she said. | |
| There are "very few" foreign workers left in the country, Ms Craig added. | |
| She said UAE troops were based in the south, suggesting the hostage was being held or was freed in south of the country. |