American freelance journalist, Casey Coombs, 33, held as hostage by Shi’ite Houthi rebels in Yemen was released yesterday.
Casey Coombs is stable, and in a hospital in Oman. He is expected to return to Seattle in the coming days, said his mother, Jill Hammill.
Hammill found out on Sunday that her son was freed after being taken hostage by rebels on May 17.
It was a miracle. We didn’t know if we would see him again.
— Jill Hammill, Mother of Casey Coombs
Coombs was one of several Americans being held by Shi’ite Houthi rebels in Yemen. He was freed following mediation by Omani authorities, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said.
The State Department is working to win the release of the other Americans detained in Yemen, Harf said.
In a brief telephone conversation with his mother after his release, Coombs said that he wasn’t badly treated, but that it was still a difficult experience, Hammill informed.
Coombs is a freelance reporter who was working for The Intercept online news site, and other publications.
Coombs reported in The Intercept in early May that he was having trouble leaving Yemen. He was trying to get evacuated when he was taken by the rebels, Hammill said.
According to a New York Times article, the Houthis have released a video of a Isabelle Prime, a French woman asking for help from French and Yemen Presidents, suggesting that the video was produced before President of Yemen, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile.
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