U.S.: Kidnapping of citizens not terrorism-related

Source: AP

WASHINGTON -- The kidnapping of two U.S. citizens in Yemen was apparently not an act of terrorism, the State Department said. Spokesman P.J. Crowley said that the man and woman, who were not identified, were taken Monday and that U.S. officials are working with local authorities to gain their release.

Crowley characterized the incident as an example of "'tourist kidnappings' where, for whatever reason, a certain tribe has a particular grievance with the [Yemeni] government and uses the presence of foreigners for leverage," Crowley said.

In the past few years, the al Qaeda terrorist network has also kidnapped foreigners in Yemen.