Yemen defected army abducts Reuters correspondent

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Exclusive

Updated / Correspondent of Reuters in Yemen and interpreter of President Saleh, Mohammed Sudam was kidnapped by militants affiliated to the commander of the Defected army General Ali Mohsen, said a security source on Sunday.

The source that talked on condition of anonymity said that the kidnappers demanded to release some officers of the First Armor Division that were arrested as prisoners of war during the confrontations that broke out between the defected army backed by the Islamist militias of Islah party and Iman university as well as tribesmen affiliated to Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar on one hand and between the security forces that are loyal to president Saleh during the past few weeks in Sana’a.

The source said that the defected army troopers kidnapped Sudam while was on his way from Sana’a international airport to his home on Saturday night.

He affirmed that Sudam and some of his companions that were with him in his car were abducted by the First Armor Division that defected months ago, adding that Sudam and his companions are detained at the First Armor Division camp in Sana’a.

Reuters office in Sana’a affirmed that Sudam was kidnapped by the first armor division troopers and that they demanded to release some of their companions including some religious extrimists who were arrested for terror suspicion.

Mohammed Sudam is a correspondent of Reuters, BBC radio and is at the same time the official interpreter of President Saleh.

Almotamar.net the official website of the ruling party had alleged that the defected army abducted member of parliament Suhaib al-Sufi last Thursday. However a spokesperson of the defected army denied that they kidnapped him.

Suhaib al-Sufi is member of Yemen parliament and is an active member of the General People Congress (GPC) ruling party from Taiz province.