Yemeni tribesmen kidnap three Filipinos

SANAA, March 21 (Reuters) - Yemen tribal militants kidnapped three Filipinos in the central province of Maareb, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

"The three sailors were kidnapped on Sunday as they were heading to the seaport in Mahra," the ministry said, adding that the tribal militants abducted the Filipino men to press the authorities into releasing a tribesman held by the authorities.

The incident, underscoring lawlessness in the Arabian Peninsula country, adds to the challenges facing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who took office last month after a year of massive protests that forced out predecessor Ali Abdullah Saleh.