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Ex-Marine Held by Yemeni Rebels Since 2015 Is Freed Former Marine Held by Yemeni Rebels Since 2015 Is Freed
(about 5 hours later)
WASHINGTON — A former Marine detained in Yemen for more than a year was released Sunday after diplomatic negotiations, senior American officials said.WASHINGTON — A former Marine detained in Yemen for more than a year was released Sunday after diplomatic negotiations, senior American officials said.
The detainee, Wallead Yusuf Pitts Luqman, 37, was abducted in April 2015 as he tried to leave the country after having taught English there for two years. He was then held in secret by the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group.The detainee, Wallead Yusuf Pitts Luqman, 37, was abducted in April 2015 as he tried to leave the country after having taught English there for two years. He was then held in secret by the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group.
An official said the Houthis had cleared him of wrongdoing in August before finally acknowledging that they were holding him, a key step in getting him home. He was flown to Oman after negotiations involving Secretary of State John Kerry.An official said the Houthis had cleared him of wrongdoing in August before finally acknowledging that they were holding him, a key step in getting him home. He was flown to Oman after negotiations involving Secretary of State John Kerry.
Mr. Kerry met recently with Mr. Luqman’s family and spoke with it on Sunday.
Last month, Mr. Luqman’s wife, Jihan Mohamed, went public with her husband’s abduction, hoping the move would help free him. She said members of the Houthi political security organization, one of Yemen’s two security agencies, had been holding her husband.Last month, Mr. Luqman’s wife, Jihan Mohamed, went public with her husband’s abduction, hoping the move would help free him. She said members of the Houthi political security organization, one of Yemen’s two security agencies, had been holding her husband.
“They had no reason to take him, and there are no charges,” Ms. Mohamed said in a Facebook posting. “After months of not knowing his condition or where he was, I finally received proof of life this year.”“They had no reason to take him, and there are no charges,” Ms. Mohamed said in a Facebook posting. “After months of not knowing his condition or where he was, I finally received proof of life this year.”
She pleaded with the Houthis to release her husband. She pleaded with the Houthis to release her husband. “He is a good family man, good Muslim, and he should be returned to his wife and children,” she said.
“Wallead has been gone from his family for too long, and it is time for him to come home to his family,” she said. “He is a good family man, good Muslim, and he should be returned to his wife and children.”
Mr. Luqman, an American citizen, served in the Marines and the Army, according to his LinkedIn profile. He had previously lived in Minnesota, Georgia and the Milwaukee area.Mr. Luqman, an American citizen, served in the Marines and the Army, according to his LinkedIn profile. He had previously lived in Minnesota, Georgia and the Milwaukee area.
Officials with the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the State Department worked to free Mr. Luqman, whose condition was not immediately known.Officials with the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the State Department worked to free Mr. Luqman, whose condition was not immediately known.
After the American-backed government in Yemen fell last year, the Houthis seized power in parts of the country and detained several Americans.After the American-backed government in Yemen fell last year, the Houthis seized power in parts of the country and detained several Americans.
Oman was instrumental in the release of at least four Americans. Another died last year while in the custody of the Houthis. An autopsy showed he had been tortured. Oman was instrumental in the release of at least four Americans. Another died last year while in the custody of the Houthis. An autopsy showed that he had been tortured.