DUBAI: Oman's state news agency is reporting that three Americans have been flown into the country from war-torn Yemen at the request of the US State Department.

The short statement Thursday did not elaborate on why the State Department had asked Oman to negotiate on its behalf. However, some foreigners have been held in recent months by fighters involved in the country's ongoing civil war.

The news agency quoted an unnamed Omani Foreign Ministry official in its report. The official said: "The three US citizens were transported from Sanaa to Muscat onboard ... one of the Royal Air Force of Oman aircrafts, after which they will return to their country."

Sanaa is held by Shiite rebels known as Houthis. A Saudi-led coalition is fighting the rebels.