Christian Girls Kidnapped in Yemen Freed

The children of a German missionary family who were kidnapped in North Yemen were rescued this week by Saudi Arabian security forces, officials say.

ASSIST News Service reports Lydia and Anna Hentschel, believed to be between 3 and 6 years old, were turned over to Saudi Arabian security authorities at Yemen's border Monday.

Both of the little girls are in good health and are on their way back to Germany, the Saudi government announced Wednesday.

"The children will now be received into the bosom of the family,' said Reinhard Potschke, an uncle of the children. "They need peace and quiet, not flashbulbs, in order to be able to work through what has happened. For them and us the feelings of joy and mourning are mixed."

The family was kidnapped 11 months ago while on a trip with other Christians in northern Yemen.

Among the group were two German Bible school students and a South Korean teacher, who were found murdered on June 12, 2009. Yemeni authorities believe radical Muslims are responsible.

The girls' younger brother, Simon, is also believed to be dead. The fate of the childrens' parents, Johann and Sabine Hentschel, is not known.

"We hope for a happy end for them and continue to put all our efforts toward this goal," German Foreign Minister Guido Westervelle said.

CBN.com