Islamic Extremists Kidnap 16 Western Tourists in Yemen

SANA, Yemen — Islamic militants kidnapped 16 Western tourists, including two Americans, in southern Yemen on Monday and demanded the release of two jailed leaders, security officials said.

In exchange for the tourists’ freedom, kidnappers from the Islamic Jihad extremist group wanted leader Saleh Haidara Atwi and another top militant released, officials said. The two were arrested by Yemeni authorities two weeks ago.

Yemeni tribal leaders said about 10 gunmen ambushed a convoy of five vehicles carrying a group of 17 tourists traveling near the southern town of Mawdiyah in the Abyan province. They opened fire on a number of police officers escorting the tourists.

No one was injured in the firefight, and the group’s British tour leader and a Yemeni guide managed to escape, said the tribal leaders.

The remaining 16 tourists--12 Britons, two Americans and two Australians--were abducted and driven to an unknown destination in Abyan province, about 175 miles south of the capital, Sana.

Security officials in Abyan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islamic Jihad leader Atwi was arrested as part of a crackdown on Islamic extremists in southern Yemen.