16 March 2012

A Swiss woman has been kidnapped by armed men in Yemen, officials say.
The woman was seized on Wednesday in Hodeida on the west coast, where she works as a teacher, but is reportedly being held in Shabwa province.
The Swiss foreign ministry said it was in contact with Yemeni authorities to ensure the woman's release and safety.
Several officials blamed tribesmen, who they said were demanding the release of jailed relatives. But tribal elders and one official said it was al-Qaeda.
"The kidnapping bears the hallmark of al-Qaeda," a security official told the AFP news agency.


