Egyptians are reportedly among those medical workers kidnapped in Yemen late Thursday evening. The Associated Press broke the story, saying that Yemeni tribesman has said he and fellow gunman kidnapped 24 local and foreign medics who had been working at a Saudi-run hospital in the north of the country. Sheikh Hezam, who took credit for the kidnapping, told the AP that he is holding the workers hostage until the government releases two tribesmen in exchange for the group. Among the nationalities taken are Egyptians, Indians, Sudanese and Filipinos. Government sources have confirmed that the kidnapping occurred after gunmen stopped the bus carrying the workers back to the northern Sada province from the capital, San'a. They have allegedly been taken to a mountainous area of Amran province some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital. Tribesmen in Yemen often resort to kidnapping foreigners in order to force the government, which has limited control over their areas, to free prisoners held in Yemen jails. Although kidnapping in Yemen is more commonplace than most nations, a vast majority of those taken hostage have, in recent years, been freed without harm. Hezam said all hostages are currently safe and in good health. BM
