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Three foreign tourists kidnapped in Yemen's capital Three Westerners kidnapped in Yemen's capital, Sanaa
(about 4 hours later)
Three foreign tourists have been kidnapped in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, security officials say. Three Westerners have been kidnapped in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, security officials say.
One official told the AFP news agency that four masked gunmen had seized them at a shop in the city centre. One official told Reuters news agency that those kidnapped were an Austrian man and a Finnish couple.
The official said the tourists were two men and a woman and they had been driven to an unknown location. Their nationalities are not known, but one report said that they were Westerners. One report said that four masked gunmen had seized the trio at a shop in the city centre.
Kidnappings of foreigners are common in Yemen and usually resolved peacefully. The identity of the gunmen and their demands are not yet known, although kidnappings of foreigners are common and are usually resolved peacefully.
Tribes have been known to kidnap them as leverage for getting grievances addressed by the government. But militants linked to al-Qaeda have also claimed responsibility for abductions.Tribes have been known to kidnap them as leverage for getting grievances addressed by the government. But militants linked to al-Qaeda have also claimed responsibility for abductions.
"People saw a car stop in Tahrir Square, militants snatching three Westerners and speeding away," the security official told Reuters. "The abductors didn't reveal their affiliation or demands."
The incident came two days after President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi reorganised the military to reduce the powers of the family of his predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who handed over power in November.The incident came two days after President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi reorganised the military to reduce the powers of the family of his predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who handed over power in November.
The Special Forces and Republic Guard, which were both led by Ahmed Saleh, were brought under the control of the ministry of defence.The Special Forces and Republic Guard, which were both led by Ahmed Saleh, were brought under the control of the ministry of defence.