Oman plays major role in the release of three US nationals held hostage by Yemeni Houthis

Houthi rebels in Yemen released six foreign hostages on Sunday. The hostages have been held in the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa since March.

Three U.S. nationals, two Saudis and one British citizen are among the hostages the rebels have freed as a goodwill gesture prior to the talks with the United Nations to put an end to the conflict going on for about six months. The foreigners, having been accused of entering Yemen without proper documents, were captured by the Houthis.

“Upon a request from the U.S. government to help settle the issue of the American citizens held hostage in Yemen, the concerned authority coordinated with Yemeni authorities in Sanaa to release two U.S. citizens,” Al Arabiya quoted a statement from Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The hostages will travel to their native countries from Oman, the statement added.

The foreigners along with a delegation of the rebel group flew to Muscat on an Omani flight. They are scheduled to meet U.N. special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Reuters reported. Saudi Arabia and the United States have worked together on the release of the hostages.

Oman, a Gulf Cooperation Council member which remains neutral about the Yemeni conflict, has played a major role during negotiations for the release of the hostages. It has also helped the release of Westerners in the past because of its good relations with the Houthi rebels. Other members in the council are Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

According to Houthi sources, the British man has been studying at a religious school in Yemen. However, it is unclear what the American nationals have been doing in the country.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.