Kidnapped US Journalist Released in Syria

KABUL: (Middle East Press) An American journalist kidnapped almost two years ago has reportedly been released in Syria following Qatari mediation and handed over to UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights.

Peter Theo Curtis was handed over to UN peacekeepers in the village of al-Rafid, Quneitra, on Sunday. He has since been turned over to representatives from the US government after undergoing medical check-up, the UN said.

Curtis’ family thanked both the governments of the US and Qatar, as well as others who helped consult his release.

According to a statement from his family, Curtis was taken in October 2012 and was reportedly held by the al-Nusra Front terrorist group with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was thankful Curtis was returning home, before laying blame on al-Nusra Front for the kidnapping.

“We are all grateful knowing that Theo Curtis is coming home after so much time held in the clutches of (al-Nusrah Front), he said.

Kerry also said the US was using “every diplomatic, intelligence, and military tool” available to release other Americans held hostage.

Dozens of journalists covering the foreign-hatched war have been detained since the clash began in March 2011, with many others still missing.