Yemeni-British woman abducted 32 years ago flees Hodeidah to reunite with mother

A British national who was abducted as a child 32 years ago by her father, fled the Yemeni city of Hodeidah to reunite with her mother in Britain.

Safia Saleh, who was 18 months old when she was kidnapped by her father in 1986, fled to Egypt after living in poverty in Yemen with her husband and four children, The Guardian reported.

Safia was kidnapped along with her two sisters who were aged five and four at the time.

Saleh’s mother Jackie, who lives in Cardiff, was able to bring back the two older daughters 15 years after their kidnap, and started a campaign to bring her eldest Safia back, which raised £7,000.

A welsh assembly member for South Wales Central revealed on Christmas Eve that Safia arrived to Egypt safely with her family.

“Safia Saleh and family landed safely in Cairo and they are out of Yemen,” the newspaper quoted him as saying. “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Crowdfunder. The next steps is to get the passports. It’s really good news on Christmas Eve and a great present for Jackie and her family.”

The newspaper reported that Safia and her mother were in touch via WhatsApp and planned the escape together.