French woman kidnapped in Yemen's capital
Updated: 2015-02-24 21:01
(Xinhua)
|
||||||||
SANAA - A French woman was kidnapped along with her bodyguard in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Tuesday, an interior ministry official told Xinhua.
The French woman is believed to be working for the French oil company TOTAL, the official said.
"Gunmen driving two cars intercepted the car of the French woman in Hadda district near the office of the TOTAL company in Sanaa and forced her and her Yemeni bodyguard to get into one of their cars and fled the area," the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Searching operations are underway, he said, adding that the identities of the gunmen are unknown.
The security situation in the Arab country worsened after the Shiite Houthi group took over control of Sanaa last September after deadly clashes with government forces.
More than 10 countries, including France, have announced the closure of their diplomatic missions in Sanaa since early this month and evacuated their diplomatic staff due to the security concerns. They also demand the immediate departure of their citizens from Yemen.
Yemen has seen persistent unrest since 2011 when mass protests forced former President Ali Abdullash Saleh to step down, which created power vacuum that benefits the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the most active terrorist group in the Middle East.
Foreigners, especially the people from the Western countries, are frequently kidnapped by al-Qaida militants and tribesmen in Yemen. Most of the hostages were released unharmed after ransoms were paid.
However, on Dec. 6, 2014, two hostages, a U.S. national and a South African national, were killed by the AQAP during a rescue operation by the Yemeni and U.S. forces in Yemen's southern province of Shabwa.
- Planning for the future family as society ages
- Ratings of China's Spring Festival gala hit new low
- Rail modernizations civilize Spring Festival travel rush
- Thousands affected by SW China earthquake
- Discipline watchdog names 855 for violations during holidays
- Nursing home killer in fury over unpaid wages
- Monk's body found concealed in Chinese Buddha statue
- Lady Gaga, Julie Andrews notch Oscars' top social media moment
- Restored terracotta warriors don 'scarves' and 'dresses'
- Texas Lunar Festival fun
- Stars arrive at 87th Academy Awards
- 'God of Wealth' promotes US pears
- Man's best friend: border soldiers and a military dog
- Couple sentries guard China's northern border during traditional holiday
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Alibaba places China smartphone business bet with $590m Meizu deal |
China, US vow to deepen military relations |
Premier Li attends Davos Forum |
Li Na expecting first baby |
Today's Top News
China highlights dos, don'ts in intl relations
Google teams up with 3 wireless carriers to combat Apple Pay
Kiwi opposition blasts troop deployment to Iraq
It's not just the gift, but the thought behind it
Savoring benefits of medicinal foods
Alejandro G. Inarritu wins Best Director for 'Birdman'
Chinese enjoy shopping, massages and travel to ring in New Year
Foreign minister to preside at UN
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |