Yemeni army raid frees 7 kidnapped Yemeni soldiers, 1 foreign hostage

SANAA, Yemen – Yemen's Supreme Security Committee says an army attack has freed seven Yemeni soldiers and one foreigner kidnapped by al-Qaida's Yemen branch in the vicinity of the U.S. military's al-Annad air base in the southern province of Lahj.

A statement issued by the committee says troops attacked a militant hideout early Tuesday morning, killing seven militants and freeing the eight hostages.

The statement did not say when and where the hostages were kidnapped, but a security official said the foreigner is a military adviser working in al-Annad base where American and European advisers work.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to brief the media, said the raid was carried out with a U.S. logistical support.