New Delhi

An Indian citizen from Kerala, who had been held by Houthi rebels in conflict-stricken Yemen for almost five months, has been freed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday.

The individual, Anilkumar Raveendran, was serving as a crew member on the cargo vessel MV Eternity C when he was detained on July 7.

According to the MEA, Raveendran has now reached Muscat and is expected to return to India shortly. The ministry said the Indian government had been in continuous contact with multiple stakeholders to secure his safe release.

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In its statement, the MEA also expressed gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for playing a key role in facilitating Raveendran’s release and repatriation.