DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Former U.S. Marine Sam Farran arrived home on Tuesday after being held hostage by Houthi rebels for six months in Yemen.

Farran, 54, a Lebanese American Dearborn Heights resident, was held hostage in Sanaa, along with Scott Darden, a 45-year-old employee of the New Orleans-based company Transoceanic Development. They were detained on March 27. A third unidentified American still remains in Houthi captivity, according to U.S. officials.

Farran was visiting Yemen earlier this year when tensions began to escalate between Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the Houthi rebels. Farran was in the country doing civilian work and working as a security consultant when the rebels rose to power, forcing Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi officials launched a still-ongoing coalition air strike campaign against the rebels last spring that has killed more than 4,500 civilians to date.

When the environment got too hostile, Farran attempted to flee the country. He was in contact with Darden, who at the time had connections to quickly evacuate the county. Within days they were both en route to what they believed was a secure location when they were captured.

Farran’s family, which includes a wife and four children, were informed by friends in Yemen that he had been captured. It wouldn’t be until a couple months later when the news of their abduction became public, after it was confirmed by the White House.

Farran, a former U.S. Marine.

 In May, U.S. officials announced that at least four Americans had been under Houthi captivity. In June, the Houthis released freelance American journalist Casey Coombs following negotiations led by Oman. Officials from Muscat also facilitated the negotiation process for Farran and Darden, who were immediately flown to Oman on Sunday following their release. They were both greeted by the U.S. ambassador to Oman.

Oman’s neutral relations with the U.S., the Houthis and Iran, which has openly backed the group, most likely allowed for the hostages to be released.

“This outcome underscores that we have been and will continue to be tireless in pursuing the release of all Americans detained abroad unjustly, including those who remain in the region,” the White House said in a statement.

Farran’s youngest daughter, Amira, told The Arab American News that the family was devastated last spring upon hearing the news of his abduction. With absolutely no form of contact, they would occasionally get updates from national security about his condition.

Insiders familiar with Farran’s situation assured the family that he was still alive and in fairly good condition during the course of his six month captivity.

On Tuesday evening, Farran arrived at Detroit Metropolitan airport, where he was greeted by overjoyed family and friends. Tears overcame the family as they finally reunited. Bystanders also waited alongside the family to honor Farran and his service to the country. 

Farran briefly described his excruciating experience as a hostage to reporters. He said he was placed inside of a 5 foot by 12 foot cell and went months without ever seeing daylight. 

“For the past six months, that’s all I did,” Farran said. “I paced that cell. I paced it back and forth, thinking about this moment. I would only sleep about four hours. There was nothing else. We weren’t let out or anything. We didn’t see the sun for a long, long, long time.”

Amira Farran said her father is in high spirit and is thrilled to be back home. She added that he was healthy, despite losing about 25 lbs.

“For the past six months, I’ve been extremely depressed, anxious and on edge,” she said. “We are thankful and happy that he is safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families whose loved ones have still not been rescued.”

Born in Lebanon, Farran immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was a teenager. He spent the majority of his time in both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. 

In 1979, he joined the U.S. Marines and would later serve in the Gulf War. He retired from the military five years ago.

His services have since been highlighted by the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, where he is featured in an exhibit on Arab Americans in the military.

Farran’s son Al followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military. He is currently an Air force staff sergeant at Hill Air force Base in Utah.