White House says two USA citizens released in Yemen

It did not elaborate. The Post identified the other American as Sam Farran, 54, a security consultant from Michigan. Darden was helping to deliver aid all through the region for Transoceanic & relief organizations amongst its clients, in accordance to spokesman Ken Luce.

The war in Yemen has pitted Shiite Houthi rebels and forces fighting for former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against fighters loyal to exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, as well as southern separatists, local militias and Sunni extremists.

Washington has provided intelligence and logistical support for the Saudi-led air campaign launched in March against the rebels, while calling for a political solution to the conflict.

It also reported that a third American, a 35-year-old convert to Islam, was still being held for reasons that were unclear. It was also not immediately clear when the hostages had been seized.

At least one hostage was a journalist who “entered the country illegally” and “worked without notifying the authorities”, said the Houthis.

Darden sought Farran’s help to get out of Yemen after the Houthi rebels took control of the nation, and the two were captured together, a Transoceanic official told The Washington Post. They were flown to Muscat with an Omani government plane and were met by USA consular staff, officials said.

Oman has been involved in several cases of hostage release, highlighting its unique role as a discreet Gulf mediator.

The British Foreign Office was unable to confirm the hostages’ release. Semple, 64, was working as a petroleum engineer in the Hadramaut area of Yemen when he was kidnapped in February past year.

“We are deeply grateful to the Sultanate of Oman, U.S. Sen”.

Darden is from Atlanta and lived with his family in Dubai, according to his Facebook page.

“We have said that their release has been our focus since we first learned of their detention, and the administration has been in regular contact with their families and representatives”, Kerry said.

“I am not privy to that information if there was anything”, he said. “We are very concerned about their safety and we can’t discuss anything else at this time”.