BODIES BELIEVED TO BE SA'ADA ABDUCTEES REPORTEDLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001105 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP:AMACDONALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2019 TAGS: PTER PREL YM SUBJECT: BODIES BELIEVED TO BE SA'ADA ABDUCTEES REPORTEDLY FOUND Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On June 14, the German Ambassador told the Ambassador that he had spoken to associates of a group of westerners abducted in Sa'ada who said that three bodies found there were of two German women and a South Korean woman. The German DCM confirmed to POL/E Chief that a German police official will be sent to identify the bodies. Directorate of Military Intelligence liaison Lt. Colonel Ahmed Alos told DATT that three adult, female bodies had been found in Wadi Nashour, in Sa'ada. (Note: Unconfirmed press reports indicate that seven bodies were found. Post only has confirmed reports of three. End Note.) ¶2. (C) Nine westerners (seven Germans, a Briton and a South Korean) disappeared in Sa'ada City on June 12 while returning from a picnic. According to the German DCM, the group, which included three women, was affiliated with a Dutch-based charity called World Wide Services. Comment: In spite of press reports that the ROYG is blaming the murders on Houthi insurgents, the Embassy has no information on the killers or their motives. End Comment. SECHE