Two Americans held for nearly six months in war-ravaged Yemen have been released and sent to Oman, the White House said Sunday.
NBC News confirmed the identities of the freed men as Scott Darden, a 45-year-old working for a New Orleans logistics firm, and Sam Farran, a 54-year-old security consultant from Michigan.
An administration official tells NBC News securing their release was complicated given the lack of cooperation from the Houthi rebels, as well as the violence and instability in the region. The recently created Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, led by the FBI, helped with the effort, according to the official.
Darden and Farran had been held since March 27 after being detained by Shiite Houthi rebels fighting government forces in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
