Italian hostages 'released by Yemeni kidnappers'

Tribal kidnappers have freed five Italian hostages whom they abducted in Yemen six days ago, a mediator said today.

The hostages, three Italian women and two men, were safe, tribal mediator Jebal Teanan reported in the northern mountainous area of Marib where the tourists were seized on Sunday.

There was no immediate word on what led the kidnappers to release their hostages. The government has deployed a large number of troops, backed by helicopters, around the kidnappers’ hideout in the past few days.

The kidnappers included a member of the local district council, Marai al-Amiri, mediator Teanan said.