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British hostage freed from al-Qaida in Yemen reunited with family in UK British hostage freed from al-Qaida in Yemen reunited with family in UK
(about 1 hour later)
A British oil worker held hostage by al-Qaida in Yemen for 18 months, was today back in the UK on Tuesday after being released at the weekend. A British oil worker held hostage by al-Qaida in Yemen for 18 months is back in the UK after being released at the weekend.
Troops from the United Arab Emirates freed Bob Semple, 64, in what the described as a military intelligence operation. Troops from the United Arab Emirates freed Bob Semple, 64, in what they described as a military intelligence operation.
In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, Semple said: “I am delighted and relieved to be back home safely and to be reunited with my family after such a long time.In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, Semple said: “I am delighted and relieved to be back home safely and to be reunited with my family after such a long time.
“My wife Sallie and I want to thank all the people who supported us through this ordeal: especially the Foreign Office, Hostage UK, the police, our family, friends and well-wishers, and the UAE forces who secured my release. We are all incredibly grateful to you all “My wife Sallie and I want to thank all the people who supported us through this ordeal: especially the Foreign Office, Hostage UK, the police, our family, friends and well-wishers, and the UAE forces who secured my release. We are all incredibly grateful to you all.
“We would also like to thank the media for showing restraint during my 18 months in captivity, and I ask that this continues, allowing me to enjoy some valuable and much missed time with my family. It is great to be home”. He added: “We would also like to thank the media for showing restraint during my 18 months in captivity, and I ask that this continues, allowing me to enjoy some valuable and much missed time with my family. It is great to be home.”
News of his release was conveyed to David Cameron by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, at the weekend, but the exact circumstances of his release remain a mystery. News of his release was conveyed to David Cameron by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the weekend, but the exact circumstances of his release remain a mystery.
The UAE said it had taken Semple to a safe location in Aden before flying him out of Yemen to Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, where he was met by the British ambassador. After medical checks at a hospital he was then flown back to Britain.The UAE said it had taken Semple to a safe location in Aden before flying him out of Yemen to Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, where he was met by the British ambassador. After medical checks at a hospital he was then flown back to Britain.
Related: British hostage freed in Yemen after 18 months of chaos and power strugglesRelated: British hostage freed in Yemen after 18 months of chaos and power struggles
It is understood Semple was abducted in eastern Yemen in February 2014, but details of his kidnapping were not made public at the time after officials advised his family it could complicate the situation.It is understood Semple was abducted in eastern Yemen in February 2014, but details of his kidnapping were not made public at the time after officials advised his family it could complicate the situation.
Nothing was heard from him apart from a brief video message a year ago, when the Arab broadcaster AlziandiQ8 posted footage on and saying he feared his captors would soon kill him. Nothing was heard from him apart from a brief video message a year ago, when the Arab broadcaster AlziadiQ8 posted footage on YouTube saying he feared his captors would soon kill him.
In the video the blindfolded man speaks haltingly with his head lowered, saying: “My name is Bob Semple. I am a British subject working in Yemen for an oil services company, Intracs Middle East Limited. In the video the blindfolded man speaks haltingly with his head lowered, saying: “My name is Bob Semple. I am a British subject working in Yemen for an oil services company, Intracs Middle East Limited. Please, British or Yemen, please help me to get back to my family. I have been captive for seven months and my situation is not good. These guys are going to kill me soon, I think.”
“Please, British or Yemen, please help me to get back to my family. I have been captive for seven months and my situation is not good. These guys are going to kill me soon, I think.”
The footage has not been verified as authentic.The footage has not been verified as authentic.
No further information about Semple’s release was available, but a Dubai-based security expert said he had likely been handed over without a fight. Media in the UAE hailed the rescue as the embodiment of the country’s values and evidence of its determination to fight terrorism.No further information about Semple’s release was available, but a Dubai-based security expert said he had likely been handed over without a fight. Media in the UAE hailed the rescue as the embodiment of the country’s values and evidence of its determination to fight terrorism.
The expert said he believed Semple had been freed after UAE forces persuaded Yemeni tribes that had been sheltering al-Qaida members to change allegiance in exchange for weapons or money.The expert said he believed Semple had been freed after UAE forces persuaded Yemeni tribes that had been sheltering al-Qaida members to change allegiance in exchange for weapons or money.
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap) has been consolidating its control of Hadramawt, the country’s largest province, where Semple was kidnapped. The group captured a large weapons depot, an airport, an oil terminal and the area’s main military base in April. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been consolidating its control of Hadramawt, the country’s largest province, where Semple was kidnapped. The group captured a large weapons depot, an airport, an oil terminal and the area’s main military base in April.
“It is not clear whether this was a firefight or a betrayal,” the expert said. “Both the Saudis and Emiratis are taking advantage of the fact that al-Qaida units are dispersed amongst the tribes so it is easier to gather intelligence on them. Most likely the tribal force that hosted the Aqap unit [holding Semple] decided to give it up.” “It is not clear whether this was a firefight or a betrayal,” the expert said. “Both the Saudis and Emiratis are taking advantage of the fact that al-Qaida units are dispersed amongst the tribes so it is easier to gather intelligence on them. Most likely the tribal force that hosted the AQAP unit [holding Semple] decided to give it up.”
The fact that the UAE referred to Semple’s release as a military intelligence operation fuelled speculation that a ransom had been paid and that British SAS forces had been involved. Neither claim could be confirmed.The fact that the UAE referred to Semple’s release as a military intelligence operation fuelled speculation that a ransom had been paid and that British SAS forces had been involved. Neither claim could be confirmed.
The UAE is keen to promote itself as a loyal ally in the fight against terrorism. It has also pressed the British government to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood, even though the group formally eschews violence. It faces regular criticism for prosecuting Islamist opposition figures.The UAE is keen to promote itself as a loyal ally in the fight against terrorism. It has also pressed the British government to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood, even though the group formally eschews violence. It faces regular criticism for prosecuting Islamist opposition figures.
“This country understands the nature of modern terrorism,” commented the English-lauguage National, a government-owned Abu Dhabi newspaper. “We have been affected by it. We have watched as our neighbours have been attacked and destabilised. And we have seen how Arab culture has been tarnished and the reputation of the Muslim religion has been twisted by the ideologies of violent and brutal groups.“This country understands the nature of modern terrorism,” commented the English-lauguage National, a government-owned Abu Dhabi newspaper. “We have been affected by it. We have watched as our neighbours have been attacked and destabilised. And we have seen how Arab culture has been tarnished and the reputation of the Muslim religion has been twisted by the ideologies of violent and brutal groups.
“And through all of this, the UAE has maintained its model of tolerance and openness. We have not shut our doors to the world, nor changed who we are. And we will not allow terrorism to change our way of life or what we have become. But we will not end this scourge simply by securing our own society.”“And through all of this, the UAE has maintained its model of tolerance and openness. We have not shut our doors to the world, nor changed who we are. And we will not allow terrorism to change our way of life or what we have become. But we will not end this scourge simply by securing our own society.”
Semple, who it is understood to have two adult sons, is an expert in his field and knew and loved the country he had worked in for 30 years, said an Intracs employee.Semple, who it is understood to have two adult sons, is an expert in his field and knew and loved the country he had worked in for 30 years, said an Intracs employee.