UN Worker Freed from Al-Qaeda Captivity in Yemen
A Bangladeshi citizen, employed by the United Nations, has been released from captivity after enduring a year and a half of abduction by Al-Qaeda in Yemen, as confirmed by the prime minister’s office on Thursday.
Struggle for Freedom: A Gruesome Ordeal
Akam Sofyol Anam, who had been held captive, expressed his astonishment at being able to return home after a prolonged period of uncertainty.
He shared his emotions with reporters in Dhaka, describing the past 18 months as “horrifying”.
Anam, a former army lieutenant colonel, went on to express the constant fear that had engulfed him during his captivity.
He stated, “I thought the terrorists might kill me anytime,” underlining the torment he experienced throughout his ordeal.
Reflecting on his days in captivity, he described them as “miserable,” marked by a haunting dread of death that seemed reminiscent of scenes depicted in movies.
Abduction Details and Conditions
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) kidnapped Anam and four others in February 2022.
This abduction occurred as they were returning to Yemen’s southern port city of Aden after completing a field mission while working for the UN Department of Safety and Security.
Anam disclosed that while he was not subjected to physical torture, he endured frequent blindfolding and displacement.
He recounted the deprivation of seeing the sky for months, a circumstance that weighed heavily on his spirit.
His captors repeatedly moved him from one location to another, adding to the disorienting nature of his captivity.
Uncertain Motives and Gratitude
Anam expressed confusion regarding the motives of his abductors, stating that he had “no idea how much money they wanted or what was their demand.”
He believed that he had been targeted due to his affiliation as a UN official.
Following his release, Anam conveyed his deep appreciation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her pivotal role in securing his rescue.
A photograph of their meeting was released by the premier’s office, capturing the moment of gratitude and relief.
Context of Yemen’s Conflict
The backdrop against which Anam’s ordeal unfolded is Yemen’s ongoing conflict, which began in 2014 with the seizure of the capital, Sanaa, by Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
This event prompted a Saudi-led coalition intervention in the subsequent year to support the internationally recognized government.
The instability and chaos resulting from the conflict have provided fertile ground for groups like AQAP and Islamic State militants to thrive.
Impact and Tensions of Yemen’s War
AQAP, formed through the amalgamation of Al-Qaeda’s Yemen and Saudi branches, has carried out a series of attacks in Yemen, targeting both rebel and government entities, as well as foreign individuals.
The consequences of Yemen’s protracted conflict have been dire, with hundreds of thousands of lives lost due to direct and indirect effects of the war.
Despite the onset of a UN-brokered truce in April of the previous year, followed by a decline in hostilities, the situation remains volatile.
In a press release, © Agence France-Presse shared these unfolding events and the individual’s release from captivity.
