UAE forces rescue British hostage in Yemen

UAE forces in Aden have rescued a British hostage kidnapped by Al Qaeda in February last year. Douglas Robert Semple, 64, was working as a petroleum engineer in the Hadramaut area when he was taken at gunpoint. He was rescued in a military operation and flown from Aden to Abu Dhabi where he is described as “safe and well”, reported the state news agency Wam.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, informed British prime minister David Cameron of the success of the operation in a phone call on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Sunday, UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond said: “I’m pleased to confirm that a British hostage held in Yemen has been extracted by UAE forces in a military intelligence operation.

“The British national is safe and well, and is receiving support from British government officials. We are very grateful for the assistance of the UAE.”

Mr Semple was greeted in Abu Dhabi by the British Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham. UAE authorities also arranged for Mr Semple to speak with his wife by telephone to inform her he had been rescued and was safe.

Mr Semple will leave the UAE for the UK after “all necessary medical checks and treatments have been completed”, said Wam.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict since March, when a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against Houthi rebels.
Source: MENA