Trump announces return of hostage held in Yemen for 18 months

Danny Burch, a U.S. citizen held hostage by Yemeni rebels for 18 months, has been released, President Trump tweeted Monday.

Burch had spent years working for a Yemeni oil company when he was abducted in September 2017, The New York Times says. Reuters reported that Burch was released to Oman in January 2018, but Trump said he had just been released and "reunited with his wife and children."

At the time of Burch's abduction, the Times said "many westerners have been abducted over the years in Yemen." Burch was taken by Houthi rebels, who have sparred for years with Yemen's government as famine continues to affect millions.

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Trump thanked the nearby United Arab Emirates for providing needed "support" to get Burch home. "We have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory," Trump added. Kathryn Krawczyk