But Ashaal’s family, part of a powerful tribe in south Yemen, was the rare case where the victims refused to be silent. They’re the ones who use those type of vans,” said Raafat Al-Saadi, Ashaal’s cousin. “How were these people allowed to leave Aden?” Al-Saadi said. The kidnapping of Ali Ashaal occurred in the Aden, Yemen, an ancient port city on the southwestern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Since the STC’s ouster, Ashaal’s family has intensified pressure on authorities to bring the accused to justice.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 30, 2026 16:02 UTC