Related: Release of three Italian hostages unconfirmed: Rome
          Three Italians released in Yemen

   SANAA, Jan. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Three female Italian tourists abducted and later released by Yemeni tribesmen returned to kidnappers on Sunday, refusing to be freed until their two male companions are also released, government sources said.

   The three, who had been set free and turned over to the local government of the eastern province of Maarib earlier in the day, went back to the kidnappers upon learning that the two male Italians in their tourist team remained captive, said the sources.

   The five tourists were snatched away by armed tribesmen in Maarib, about 170 km east of the capital Sanaa. The kidnappers demanded the Yemeni government to release eight tribe members imprisoned on criminal charges.

   The incident came one day after five German tourists, including a former senior diplomat, were released following three days of captivity.

   Earlier this month, Yemeni tribesmen seized and later released two Austrians.

   In November, two Swiss tourists were kidnapped by tribesmen but were soon released.

   Yemeni armed tribesmen often abduct foreign tourists to pressure the government to release jailed relatives. The hostages were usually set free unhurt after negotiation between authorities and kidnappers. Enditem