Saudi deputy consul kidnapped in YemenMarch 28, 2012 - 14:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Saudi Arabia's deputy consul in Yemen's southern port city of Aden was seized by unknown gunmen outside his home on Wednesday, March 28 a police official said, according to AFP. "Abdullah al-Khalidi was kidnapped while leaving his home in the Mansoura neighborhood of Aden," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said police have launched an investigation into the kidnapping and are actively searching for the diplomat. "He was taken to an unknown location and we are searching from him," the official added. This is the second attack against Khalidi in recent months. Late last year, unknown gunmen stopped the diplomat while he was driving in Aden, pulled him from his car and then stole it. He was unharmed. Aden borders Yemen's lawless southern Abyan province, where Al-Qaeda linked militants have exploited the weakening central government in Sanaa to strengthen their presence in the country, launching deadly attacks against security forces especially across the restive south and southeast. The United States says the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, is the most active and deadly branch of the global jihadist network. Since last May, the extremists have increased their control over several towns and villages in the south, including Abyan's capital Zinjibar. More than 200 people have been abducted in Yemen over the past 15 years, many of them by members of the country's powerful tribes who use them as bargaining chips with the authorities. Almost all of those kidnapped were later freed unharmed. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |