Yemeni security forces rescued seven Yemeni hostages and one foreigner in a special operation against al Qaeda extremists, Reuters reports. Seven of the kidnappers were killed during the operation.
Hostage taking is common in the restive country and typically targets Westerners, but locals are frequently kidnapped as well.
Yemen has become increasingly unstable as it deals with a prominent al Qaeda presence, abject poverty, and a growing separatist movement.
