RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has succeeded in releasing the French hostage Alain Goma, who was held by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias for nearly four months, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Tuesday.

An official source said on Tuesday that in implementation of a royal directive and based on a request by the French side to facilitate the release of the French hostage Goma kidnapped by the Houthis since July 8 in Hodeidah Province, coordination was made with the joint forces to obtain a permit for a C130 aircraft belonging to the French Army.

The source confirmed that on Tuesday evening permission for the aircraft was issued and the hostage was flown from Sana'a Province to Muscat, Oman.

The Frenchman was held captive in Yemen for over four months after his boat ran into trouble near the port of Hodeidah. Goma, 54, dropped anchor in Hodeidah after running out of water while sailing to India.

In a statement, President Emmanuel Macron thanked authorities in Saudi Arabia and Oman for helping obtain his release. — SG/SPA