Updated: Lebanon reveals details behind freeing citizens kidnapped in Iraq
Al-Muthanna Airport street in Baghdad
A statement by the ministry’s media office said that a joint operation between the internal security troops’ information department, public security and Iraqi intelligence, “the three Lebanese nationals; Emad al-Khateeb, Nader Hamada and George Batrouni, were freed early on Sunday. They were kidnapped by a gang last Sunday as they arrived in Baghdad. The three persons will arrive in Beirut in the afternoon.”
“The security operation carried out by Iraqi intelligence left some of the kidnappers arrested, while another one was killed.”
The Lebanese LBC website reported on Sunday that three Lebanese nationals, were released without providing further details.
On Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants said three Lebanese were kidnapped on Sunday as they arrived in Baghdad. Consequently, Iraqi Interior Minister Qassim al-Aaraji ordered on Wednesday forming committee to investigate abduction of the three persons.
Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
A monthly count by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which excludes security members deaths, said 196 civilians were killed, while 381 others were wounded due to violence and armed conflicts during the month of September. The fatalities included 10 foreign nationals. Baghdad was the most affected province with 37 deaths and 157 injuries. Dhi Qar province came in the second place with 82 killed and 93 injured. Anbar came in the third place with 20 killed and 46 injured.