28-03-2024 11:47 PM Jerusalem Timing

Saudi Diplomat Kidnapped in Yemen Held by Al-Qaeda

Saudi Diplomat Kidnapped in Yemen Held by Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said it was holding the Saudi diplomat who was kidnapped in the country last month.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said it was holding the Saudi diplomat who was kidnapped in the country last month.

Yemeni State agency, SPA, reported on Tuesday al-Qaeda member confirmed in a telephone call to the Saudi ambassador in Sanaa that the group was responsible for the kidnapping.
The caller demanded the release of al-Qaeda members held by the government in Riyadh, vowing more attacks against the Kingdom.yemen map taez aden

Al-Qaeda "is responsible for the kidnapping of the deputy consul in Aden, saying that their demands include handing over several prisoners to members of the network in Yemen”, SPA quoted the caller as telling the Saudi ambassador.

On March 28, a police official in Aden said unidentified gunmen seized deputy consul Abdullah al-Khalidi outside his home. Saudi Arabia promptly confirmed the kidnapping.

The agency reported that according to excerpts of a telephone conversation the caller was al-Qaeda member Meshaal al-Shadokhi.

“The network's emir (leader)... Nasser al-Wuhaishy... has asked me to contact you”, Shadokhi said.
He demanded the release of "all" members of the network detained in the kingdom, among them female prisoners.

He mentioned the names of six women, among them Heyla al-Qassir, known as "Al-Qaeda lady" for being the first woman in the kingdom on trial for involvement in violence by the extremist network.

The group also demanded that the kingdom pay a "ransom worth an amount to be agreed on later," Shadokhi said.
"Today a consul is abducted, tomorrow an embassy will explode and later a prince (might) get killed”, ShadokhI threatened.