An American journalist held hostage for nearly two years by an al-Qaeda-linked group in Syria has been freed, U.S. officials confirmed Sunday.
Peter Theo Curtis of Boston was released Sunday after being abducted by the al-Nusra Front in Antakya, Turkey, where he planned to enter Syria, allegedly to teach English there, in October 2012, Al Jazeera first reported.
National Security Adviser Susan E. Rice said Mr. Curtis would soon be reunited with his family outside of Syria.
“For two years we have kept Peter Theo Curtis, a U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria, in our thoughts and prayers,” the White House said in a statement. “Today we join his family and loved ones in welcoming his freedom. Theo is now safe outside of Syria, and we expect he will be reunited with his family shortly.”
The journalist’s release comes just days after the Islamic State group posted a video online showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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