SANA'A, Oct.01 (Saba) – An official source at the Ministry of Defense affirmed Monday that the Yemeni officers, who have been abducted by a Syrian armed group, were there according to an official scholarship to study at Al- Assad Military Academy in Aleppo, and not as the armed group claimed that they were sent to support the al-Assad regime.

Talking to Saba, the source denied any participation of the Yemeni officers in the events going on in Syria.

They were on their way back to Yemen after they have completed their studies for a master's degree at Al- Assad Academy, the source said, adding they were kidnapped at the beginning of September in Idlib area as they travelled from Aleppo to Damascus to get their flight home.

The source pointed out that the Defense Ministry had sent an official letter to the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yemen, and asked the ICRC to help for the release of the Yemeni officers.

It confirmed that the Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry is making efforts and intensive contacts to secure the safety of the officers and releasing them as soon as possible.

FJ