News Digest

Troops storm in to rescue British hostage held for 18 months by al-Qaeda

A British hostage has been released after a military intelligence operation in Yemen. Douglas Semple, 64, was extracted by UAE forces based in the port city of Aden. He was taken to Abu Dhabi on a military plane on Saturday night, when the emirate’s crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan told David Cameron about the release. He was met at the airport by UAE officials and the British Ambassador before being taken to hospital for health checks.

We are very grateful for the assistance of the UAE

Foreign secretary Philip Hammond

Mr Semple is reported to have been an oil worker held by al Qaeda since going missing in February last year. Speaking from the Iranian capital Tehran, foreign secretary Philip Hammond said: “The British national is safe and well, and is receiving support from British government officials." The news comes just hours after it emerged that al Qaeda militants had taken control of Aden, following the five-month civil war. Kidnapping of foreigners in Yemen is common and most end peacefully with the hostages being freed unharmed.