MOFA Announces Release of Iraqi Citizen Kidnapped in Syria

Baghdad – INA
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs-MOFA announced on Sunday, the release of an Iraqi citizen who was kidnapped in Syria’s Homs.
 
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Ministry stated, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the release of the Iraqi citizen Abu Hassan Hamid Musaad, who was kidnapped three weeks ago in the Al-Bayada region in rural Homs, after arriving from Basra province with the intention of marrying a Syrian woman."
 
The statement added that "thanks to the diligent efforts exerted by the Iraqi Embassy in Damascus and Beirut, in cooperation with the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and through direct communication with security leadership in the Syrian government and the Lebanese security agencies, represented by the Intelligence Command, the citizen has been liberated."
 
The statement further noted that "the gang responsible for the kidnapping had demanded a ransom of $500,000. However, the Iraqi Embassy and the National Intelligence Service successfully secured the release without engaging in any negotiations with the kidnappers. The perpetrators will be dealt with according to the law by the relevant authorities."
 
The Ministry affirmed, according to the statement, "its unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens abroad," expressing its appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the Iraqi security agencies and their counterparts in Syria and Lebanon, which contributed to this success.