Yemeni troops freed two Westerners kidnapped by gunmen in the capital Sanaa on Tuesday.

An Italian U.N. worker and a female companion were taken captive while driving on a major street in the capital's Hada district where several embassies are located. The pair's car was sandwiched by a van in front and a taxi from behind.

The diplomat and the woman left their car to argue with the drivers of the two vehicles but were seized by gunmen who emerged from the taxi, according to witnesses.

The hostages were held in a house in Marib, which is about 160 km from Sanaa.

After negotiations followed by an initial exchange of gunfire, Yemeni security forces freed the hostages unharmed. Yemen's interior ministry had also worked with troops to arrest other suspects in Sanaa believed to be linked with the kidnappers.

Abductions have been growing in frequency in Yemen. Most kidnapping incidents in the region have been carried out by militants and Yemeni tribesmen to negotiate for prisoners or cash.

Three foreigners— a Czech doctor, a British oil worker and a German— were taken captive in February.