Six hostages freed by Yemen rebels

The hostages left from the Yemeni capital's airport after their release was negotiated by Oman, officials at Sanaa airport confirmed on Sunday.

Their identities was not immediately known but at least one of the six is a journalist, who Houthi officials said had "entered the country illegally" and "worked without notifying the authorities." No information was given on why the others were detained.

Their release came despite a Houthi spokesman refusing to confirm their freedom.

"If we were to release anyone, it would be in exchange for the release of Houthis (prisoners)," said Mohammed Abdel Salam, on behalf of the Iran-backed rebels.

A security source told Agence France Press that the plane carrying the freed foreigners also rebel officials on board, who were heading to Muscat for talks with the UN envoy to Yemen.

Freelance American journalist, Casey Coombs, was handed over to Oman in June after being held by rebels, along with a Singaporean.

Rebel prisoners killed

Also on Sunday, Saud-led coalition airstrikes targeted a Houthi stronghold and prison facility in the western province of Ibb.

Eleven people were killed and more than 50 rebels and civilians were wounded.

The air raid also struck a security directorate where the rebels had been holding more than 300 prisoners underground, leaving dozens buried under the rubble, according to Yemeni security forces.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have stepped in to push back a multi-front conflict in Yemen, in a bid to reinstate exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Reports suggest the coalition is preparing a ground invasion.

The Houthi rebels still control Sanaa but have lost territory in the south, including the port city of Aden. The war is further complicated by the involvement of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which have carried out attacks.

mm/sgb (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)