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UAE forces rescue British hostage in Yemen

London - During a military operation, the UAE forces had freed Mr. Semple, taking him to Aden from where he was flown on a UAE military aircraft to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi - Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, telephoned British Prime Minister David Cameron last night to inform him that the UAE Armed Forces operating in Aden had reached the location in Yemen where UK citizen Douglas Robert Semple had been kidnapped by the terrorist Al Qaeda organisation.
During a military intelligence operation, the UAE forces had freed Mr. Semple, taking him to Aden from where he was flown on a UAE military aircraft to Abu Dhabi.
This action by the UAE forces in Aden is renewed evidence of the UAE’s unchanging policy towards terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations. It also confirms the strong and friendly relations between the United Arab Emirates and Britain.
It further provides a good example of the importance of strengthening coordination and cooperation while facing up to and eradicating terrorism.
64-year-old Mr. Semple was working as a petroleum engineer in the Hadramaut area when he was kidnapped in February, 2014.
On arrival in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Semple was received at the airport by UAE officials and the British Ambassador. He was immediately taken to hospital for checks on his state of health.
The UAE authorities also arranged for Mr. Semple to speak with his wife by telephone to inform her that he had been rescued and was safe.

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