Abducted Red Cross workers freed in Yemen

Three people working for the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) kidnapped in Yemen two days ago have been freed.

The three, two from the ICRC and a volunteer from the Yemen Red Crescent Society, were delivering food to refugees in the southern province of Lahj when they were taken. They have now returned to the city of Aden, the ICRC said on Thursday.

“This is a moment of relief for us and for the Yemen Red Crescent Society,” said Eric Marclay, who heads the ICRC delegation in Yemen. “I would like to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed to this outcome.”

The ICRC had been in regular contact with the three workers and also contacted the authorities concerned and other leaders in the area for assistance in ensuring the prompt return of the detainees, a statement said.

Security in Yemen has been particularly precarious since anti-government uprisings began against the 30-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh earlier this year. On Wednesday, however, Saleh signed a deal under which he will step down.