Five italian tourists have been abducted in eastern Yemen. Its understood three women being held were freed, but refused to go unless their two male companions were also released. Tourists are often targeted by tribal groups who use them to bargain with.

They are usually freed after negotiations. In the last few weeks, two Swiss and two Austrian tourists have been taken and later freed. The Italians are thought to have been seized from their vehicle in the eastern province of Marib, 170 kilometres from the capital, Sanaa. The latest kidnapping comes a day after five German hostages were freed by tribesmen who had held them for three days. Juergen Chrobog, a former government minister, was abducted with his wife and three adult sons. Chrobog arrived back in Germany on Sunday evening after being held since December 24th. He told reporters that the tribesmen who took them hostage wanted to get arrested tribal members out of prison. It is not known if their demands were met.

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