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Four of seven humanitarian workers captured by Syrian militants freed

The freed workers are safe and sound
Photo EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
Photo EPA/SRDJAN SUKI

LONDON, October 14 (Itar-Tass) - Four of seven workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Red Crescent captured by militants were freed in Syria, the Reuters news agency reported on Monday.

The freed workers are safe and sound, a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross said. It is not reported who concretely was freed by the abductors from seven humanitarian workers. Citing security reasons, the representative did not provide any details regarding the process of their liberation of red cross workers themselves.

Six workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross and a voluntary worker of the Syrian Red Crescent were abducted by unidentified armed people in Idlib Province, northern Syria, on Sunday, October 13. Red Cross workers were examining the state of medical services in the area as well as shipments of medication.  They were abducted during their return trip to Damascus; the team was riding in cars with the Red Cross insignia.

Despite this incident, the Red Cross announced they would not be shutting down their operation in Syria. Currently around 30 foreign nationals and 120 Syrians are working in the country within the Red Cross Program.