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Yemen kidnap victims 'freed' in capital Sanaa Yemen kidnap victims freed in capital Sanaa
(about 1 hour later)
Security forces have freed two UN employees kidnapped by gunmen in Yemen's capital Sanaa, reports say. Security forces have freed two UN employees kidnapped by gunmen in Yemen's capital Sanaa.
Earlier, the pair was seized from their car in the Hada neighbourhood, where several embassies are located. They were seized from their car just hours earlier, in the Hada neighbourhood, where several embassies are located.
At least one of those kidnapped is thought to be Italian. The pair was said to be "in good health". The pair are believed to be an Italian man and his Yemeni driver.
Kidnapping is common in Yemen, where the government is struggling to contain an al-Qaeda-linked insurgency and a separatist movement.Kidnapping is common in Yemen, where the government is struggling to contain an al-Qaeda-linked insurgency and a separatist movement.
In February, a Czech doctor, a German, a British oil worker and a British teacher were also seized. Security forces arrested two of the four kidnappers, Yemeni intelligence sources told the BBC. The freed pair are said to be in good health.
There has been a spate of kidnappings recently. In February, a Czech doctor, a German, a British oil worker and a British teacher were also seized.
Hostage-taking in Yemen is sometimes carried out by militants aiming to intimidate Westerners, and sometimes by opportunists hoping to sell hostages on to other groups, but most commonly as a tactic by tribesmen to resolve disputes with the government, observers say.Hostage-taking in Yemen is sometimes carried out by militants aiming to intimidate Westerners, and sometimes by opportunists hoping to sell hostages on to other groups, but most commonly as a tactic by tribesmen to resolve disputes with the government, observers say.
Most of those are freed unharmed after short periods of captivity.Most of those are freed unharmed after short periods of captivity.
Those captured by militants face a more uncertain fate.Those captured by militants face a more uncertain fate.
Al-Qaeda's Yemen affiliate has been holding a South African teacher since May last year. It is also still holding a Saudi deputy consul kidnapped in 2012. Al-Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate has been holding a South African teacher since May last year. It is also still holding a Saudi deputy consul kidnapped in 2012.
An Iranian embassy member of staff, Nour-Ahmad Nikbakht, also remains in captivity after being abducted by suspected al-Qaeda militants in July.An Iranian embassy member of staff, Nour-Ahmad Nikbakht, also remains in captivity after being abducted by suspected al-Qaeda militants in July.
Yemen, which borders oil giant Saudi Arabia, has long wrestled with instability, internal conflicts and poor governance. Yemenhas long wrestled with instability, internal conflicts and poor governance.
It is engaged in a rocky political transition since long-time autocrat Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in 2012 following mass protests.It is engaged in a rocky political transition since long-time autocrat Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in 2012 following mass protests.