Sanaa: Yemeni and Swiss officials say a Swiss woman has been kidnapped in a western Yemeni port city.
Yemeni security officials say the woman is a researcher
at an institute in the city of Hodeida and that tribesmen
kidnapped her on Tuesday.
Tribesmen in the area deny it, saying she was taken by
militants to the southern province of Shabwa, an al Qaeda
stronghold.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed today the abduction
of its Swiss national. The Swiss say they are in contact with
Yemeni authorities to ensure her release and safety.
All the officials and tribesmen spoke on condition of
anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the
media.
Kidnapping of foreigners is frequent in Yemen, where
hostages are used as bargaining chips to secure release of
Yemeni prisoners or to get cash.
PTI
