UN staff released after Yemen kidnapping

WASHINGTON: Five United Nations (UN) staff members who had been abducted by an al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen 18 months ago have been released, UN officials announced .

According to the Associated Press (AP), the freed individuals comprised four Yemenis and one from Bangladesh. They were found to be in good health despite enduring a challenging period of isolation.

David Gressly, UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, confirmed that the release of the hostages followed extensive negotiations involving officials from Oman and the UN.

The hostages were held by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a significant faction of the global al-Qaeda network. This development underscores the persistent threat of AQAP in Yemen, active for years and considered one of the most dangerous branches of the group.

The released staff members were identified as Akm Sufiul Anam, Mazen Bawazir, Bakeel al-Mahdi, Mohammed al-Mulaiki, and Khaled Mokhtar Sheikh. They were part of the UN Department of Security and Safety.

The UN does not pay ransoms for hostages. The process of securing the release of these hostages involved negotiations. However, the exact details of any alleged payment were not provided.

The release of the hostages coincides with efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets. The first batch of pilots, however, will not be ready until the summer of 2024.

See: White House willing to train Ukrainian pilots