American hostages were released by Islamic jihadist rebels as part of five prisoners held captive for months in Yemen, including two Americans, according FOX News. Two Saudi Arabian nationals and a man from Briton were also released. The Sultan of Oman was instrumental in their release. All five were held in Yemen's capital Sanaa by Shiite Houthi rebels.
"We welcome the release of two U.S. citizens who had been detained in Yemen since earlier this year," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price, according to the New York Times. "As we have informed their families, these individuals departed Yemen today and have since arrived in Oman."
"Since we first learned of their detention, the United States government has been in regular contact with their families and representatives and, in coordination with our international partners, we have worked tirelessly to secure their release," Price said in an official statement. "We are deeply appreciative of all who were involved in producing this outcome, including in particular the Government of Oman under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said."
Louisiana-based logistics company Transoceanic Development employee Scott Darden, 45, and a security consultant from Michigan, Sam Farran, 54, were the two Americans released. A third American, an Islamic convert, is still being held.
Darden's wife, Diana Loesch, left her home in Dubai to meet her husband in Oman. "He just called me," Loesch said. "He's both elated and overjoyed."
"We cannot begin to express the sense of joy and relief we feel with Scott's release," Transoceanic CEO Gregory Rusovich said in a statement, according to USA Today. "Our top priority is the safety and welfare of all our employees - and again, very grateful for Scott's return. Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to wish the Sultanate of Oman, and the people of Yemen who are facing so much hardship at this time, Eid Mubarak."
