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US hostage released in Yemen and flown to Oman US hostage Casey Coombs released in Yemen and flown to Oman
(35 minutes later)
One of four Americans held by Houthi rebels in civil war-torn Yemen has been released, the US State Department says.One of four Americans held by Houthi rebels in civil war-torn Yemen has been released, the US State Department says.
Casey Coombs, a freelance journalist, was flown to Oman where he was met by the US ambassador.Casey Coombs, a freelance journalist, was flown to Oman where he was met by the US ambassador.
Last week, the Washington Post reported that at least four Americans were being held by Houthi rebels.Last week, the Washington Post reported that at least four Americans were being held by Houthi rebels.
Meanwhile, a video of a Frenchwoman kidnapped in February has been posted, in which she appeals for efforts to be made to secure her release.Meanwhile, a video of a Frenchwoman kidnapped in February has been posted, in which she appeals for efforts to be made to secure her release.
Isabelle Prime, who worked as a consultant on a World Bank-funded project, was seized with her translator, who was later freed, as they were driving to work in the capital, Sanaa. Isabelle Prime, who worked as a consultant on a World Bank-funded project, was seized with her translator, who was later freed, as they were driving to work in the capital, Sanaa.
She called for French President Francois Hollande and Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to help secure her release, saying: "Please bring me to France fast because I am really, really tired."She called for French President Francois Hollande and Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to help secure her release, saying: "Please bring me to France fast because I am really, really tired."
A French official has confirmed the authenticity of the video, but the identity of her captors remains unclear.A French official has confirmed the authenticity of the video, but the identity of her captors remains unclear.
Mr Coombs, who wrote for the news website the Intercept, was captured in Yemen several weeks ago.Mr Coombs, who wrote for the news website the Intercept, was captured in Yemen several weeks ago.
In April he reported that he was having difficulty leaving the country, "like hundreds - and possibly thousands - of other American citizens".In April he reported that he was having difficulty leaving the country, "like hundreds - and possibly thousands - of other American citizens".
'Horrible ride' Mother's joy
US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Mr Coombs had arrived safely in Oman following his release and was in a "stable condition".US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Mr Coombs had arrived safely in Oman following his release and was in a "stable condition".
"The US ambassador and a consular official met him at the airport upon his arrival and are providing all possible consular assistance," she added. "We are grateful to the government of Oman and personally to Sultan Qaboos for assisting with the safe passage of a US citizen to Oman," she added.
She said the US was doing everything possible to secure the freedom of the other US citizens being held in Sanaa. She declined to provide any further details, but said the US was doing everything possible to secure the freedom of the other American citizens being held in Sanaa.
Mr Coombs mother, Jill Hammill, told the Washington Post she was "overjoyed" by her son's release. Mr Coombs' mother, Jill Hammill, told the Washington Post she was "overjoyed" by her son's release.
"It's been a long and horrible ride and this is a great outcome," she added. The Oman News Agency said a Singaporean citizen was also evacuated from Yemen on Monday and taken to the Omani capital Muscat.
Oman has been brokering talks between the Houthis and the United States to put an end to Yemen's civil war.Oman has been brokering talks between the Houthis and the United States to put an end to Yemen's civil war.
The Houthis and army units loyal to Yemen's former leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, overran Sanaa in September last year and are now in control of several other cities.The Houthis and army units loyal to Yemen's former leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, overran Sanaa in September last year and are now in control of several other cities.
In December, US journalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie died during a failed attempt by US commandos to rescue them from an al-Qaeda hideout in south-eastern Yemen.In December, US journalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie died during a failed attempt by US commandos to rescue them from an al-Qaeda hideout in south-eastern Yemen.
The UN says two months of fighting and air strikes have left at least 1,037 civilians dead, including 130 women and 234 children, and displaced half a million others.The UN says two months of fighting and air strikes have left at least 1,037 civilians dead, including 130 women and 234 children, and displaced half a million others.
There has also been massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, and a sea and air blockade has caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.There has also been massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, and a sea and air blockade has caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.