[15/June/2009]

SAADA, June 15 (Saba) – Yemeni official sources have said that the six other foreigners, who were kidnapped in Saada on Friday among a group including seven Germans, a Briton and a South Korean, were alive and the security forces are hunting the kidnappers.

The announcement comes after the authorities found on Monday morning the bodies of three of the nine foreigners who were, according to previous official statements, abducted by the Houthi rebels in Yemen's northern volatile province of Saada.

The three bodies were of two German nurses identified as Rita Stewjab, 25, Amita Julie, 25, and a Korean female teacher named Youvet Singhum, 22.

The bodies were found at the Wadi Nushoor in the Safra'a district.

They have been transported by a helicopter to the capital Sana'a where they are expected to be flown to their homelands.

Meanwhile, local sources in Saada said Monday they had seen cars carrying foreigners, believed to be the nine abducted on Friday, arriving at the Matara area, one of the strongholds of the rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

The stronghold is located near the eastern province of Jawf.

However, Houthi rebels have accused drug cartels of kidnapping the nine foreigners and killing the three female hostages.

A spokesman for the rebels has also accused tribes in the region of abducting and killing the foreigners.

The governments of the abducted have confirmed their knowledge about the killed, adding they have closely watching the situation.

The abducted worked for a relief organization in the country.

On Saturday, the Yemeni government said the rebels abducted 9 foreigners including seven Germans, a Briton, and a South Korean female teacher.

The abduction occurred a day after armed tribesmen released 24 medics from India, Philippines, Egypt and Sudan, who were hijacked a day ago in Amran province.

FR
Saba