Saudi Captive Back Home From Yemen

A Saudi captive, who had been held by Houthi militias, arrived in King Salman Air Base in Riyadh this evening, the spokesman for the Arab Coalition in Support for Legitimacy in Yemen, said

RIYADH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 30th Jan, 2019) A Saudi captive, who had been held by Houthi militias, arrived in King Salman Air Base in Riyadh this evening, the spokesman for the Arab Coalition in Support for Legitimacy in Yemen, said.

Colonel Turki Al Maliki attributed the release of Moussa Awaji to the joint efforts made by the Coalition Command and the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths which have resulted in the return home of the Saudi national who is suffering from deteriorating health.

He underlined the Houthi militias' intransigence in all negotiations made to release captives from both sides, explaining that the Saudi national has been freed in return for seven Houthi elements.

"They are only seeking political and military gains in willful disregard to any humanitarian considerations," he added, noting that the militias are still holding thousands of Yemeni people, including political, social and military leaders, notably former Yemeni Minister of Defence Mahmoud Al Sobeihi, whose immediate and unconditional release is required under SC Resolution 2216 of 2015," said Al Maliki.

The spokesman thanked the Joint Command of the Arab Coalition, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, for their efforts to release the Saudi national.