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| Kerry confirms release of US journalist Theo Curtis from Syria captivity | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Secretary of state John Kerry on Sunday confirmed the release in Syria of Theo Curtis, an American journalist who had been held for two years by the militant group Jabhat al-Nusra, an affiliate of al-Qaida. | |
| Kerry, speaking as debate continued in the US over the proper response to the killing of another journalist, James Foley, by Islamic State (Isis) militants, said Curtis’s time in captivity had been “a horrific period”. | Kerry, speaking as debate continued in the US over the proper response to the killing of another journalist, James Foley, by Islamic State (Isis) militants, said Curtis’s time in captivity had been “a horrific period”. |
| A Qatari source, meanwhile, told Reuters: “Qatari intelligence agencies were behind the release of the American journalist in Syria.” | A Qatari source, meanwhile, told Reuters: “Qatari intelligence agencies were behind the release of the American journalist in Syria.” |
| The White House is reported to be considering air strikes agains Isis leaders in Syria, a move senior Republicans demanded on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, US central command said more airstrikes had been carried out against Isis around the Mosul dam in northern Iraq and the Kurdish capital of Irbil. | The White House is reported to be considering air strikes agains Isis leaders in Syria, a move senior Republicans demanded on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, US central command said more airstrikes had been carried out against Isis around the Mosul dam in northern Iraq and the Kurdish capital of Irbil. |
| A statement said: “One strike destroyed an [Isis] Humvee near the Mosul dam and the other strike destroyed an … armed vehicle near Irbil. All aircraft exited the strike area safely.” | A statement said: “One strike destroyed an [Isis] Humvee near the Mosul dam and the other strike destroyed an … armed vehicle near Irbil. All aircraft exited the strike area safely.” |
| Central Command said 96 air strikes had now been made across Iraq since the start of the US air campaign on 8 August. | Central Command said 96 air strikes had now been made across Iraq since the start of the US air campaign on 8 August. |
| Also on Sunday, the British ambassador to the US, Sir Peter Westmacott, said UK secret services were close to identifying Foley’s killer, who is believed to be British. | Also on Sunday, the British ambassador to the US, Sir Peter Westmacott, said UK secret services were close to identifying Foley’s killer, who is believed to be British. |
| In his statement on the release of Curtis, Kerry said: “Particularly after a week marked by unspeakable tragedy, we are all relieved and grateful knowing that Theo Curtis is coming home.” | |
| Isis has issued threats regarding the safety of another US journalist, Steven Sotloff. Kerry said the US would “continue to use every diplomatic, intelligence, and military tool at our disposal to find them and bring our fellow citizens home”. | Isis has issued threats regarding the safety of another US journalist, Steven Sotloff. Kerry said the US would “continue to use every diplomatic, intelligence, and military tool at our disposal to find them and bring our fellow citizens home”. |
| Susan Rice, President Obama’s national security adviser, also released a statement, in which she said: “Theo is now safe outside of Syria, and we expect he will be reunited with his family shortly. | Susan Rice, President Obama’s national security adviser, also released a statement, in which she said: “Theo is now safe outside of Syria, and we expect he will be reunited with his family shortly. |
| “Just as we celebrate Theo’s freedom, we hold in our thoughts and prayers the Americans who remain in captivity in Syria.” | “Just as we celebrate Theo’s freedom, we hold in our thoughts and prayers the Americans who remain in captivity in Syria.” |
| The Qatari-owned television station al-Jazeera first reported Curtis’s release, saying he had been handed over to a representative of the United Nations. Reuters’ unnamed Qatari source did not have details on what Qatar had done to free Curtis, saying only that it had been a matter of “communication with the right people in Syria”. | The Qatari-owned television station al-Jazeera first reported Curtis’s release, saying he had been handed over to a representative of the United Nations. Reuters’ unnamed Qatari source did not have details on what Qatar had done to free Curtis, saying only that it had been a matter of “communication with the right people in Syria”. |
| The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that about 20 journalists are missing in Syria. Many of them are believed to be held by Isis. | The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that about 20 journalists are missing in Syria. Many of them are believed to be held by Isis. |
| In a video statement released by Curtis’s kidnappers at some point during his captivity, Curtis said he “had everything” he needed and “everything has been perfect, food, clothing, even friends now”. | In a video statement released by Curtis’s kidnappers at some point during his captivity, Curtis said he “had everything” he needed and “everything has been perfect, food, clothing, even friends now”. |