Saudi Defense: Two US girls freed from Sanaa detention
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced the liberation of two American girls from detention in Sanaa, their transfer to Riyadh, and their provision of health care upon their arrival.
As an extension of the strong partnership in the framework of military co-operation and joint security co-ordination between the UK and US governments, two US girls were freed from detention in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa and were evacuated to the temporary capital Aden and then to Riyadh, said Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki.
Al-Maliki explained that the two American girls were detained and subjected to mistreatment in the capital Sanaa during a family visit. Their passports were also confiscated at the request of the United States and through a special security operation.
The girls were transferred from Aden to Riyadh by the Saudi Royal Air Force, he said, and the girls were given proper medical care upon their arrival and then handed over to US officials who received them.
Al-Maliki stressed that the coordination of this joint operation between the Saudi government and the United States to evacuate American citizens from Yemen reflects the strength of bilateral relations, as well as the continuation of military cooperation and joint security coordination to serve common interests and achieve the national security of both countries.
The operation comes as part of security and intelligence co-operation to fight terrorist organizations in Yemen, such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and the Houthi terrorist militia, which has been designated a terrorist group under UN Security Council Resolution 2624, he said.
