Turkish aid delegation released in Yemen’s Aden

ISTANBUL

A Turkish aid delegation was released by UAE-backed forces in Yemen’s coastal city of Aden, according to a delegation member on Sunday.

“The delegation was held for questioning late Saturday before being released,” the member said on condition of anonymity.

He said the UAE-backed forces had returned the passports of the delegation members.

The Turkish aid delegation had arrived in Yemen on Dec. 15 from Oman.

While travelling from eastern city of Marib to Aden on Dec. 20, UAE-backed held the delegation for no apparent reason.

The delegation member thanked the Turkish Embassy in Yemen for its efforts to secure their release, saying the aid delegation will continue its relief efforts in war-torn Yemen.

Yemen has been dogged by conflict since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa, forcing the government to take up temporary residence in Aden.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and several of its Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.

The Saudi-led campaign in Yemen has devastated the country's infrastructure, including its health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe it as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.