An Israeli-Russian researcher, Elizabeth Tsurkov, has been released after being held in captivity by the Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah, as confirmed by US President Donald Trump. Tsurkov, a Princeton University student, had been in Iraq for a research project when she went missing in March 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that she was being held by the Iran-backed group.
In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump reported that Tsurkov is now safely at the American embassy in Iraq, a statement supported by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Prime Minister Sudani confirmed the release, attributing it to the “extensive efforts” of Iraqi security services over several months. He mentioned that security forces were able to locate her captivity shortly before she was handed over to US authorities.
Tsurkov had entered Iraq using her Russian passport. Her research interests are centered around the Levant, a region that encompasses modern-day Israel, Syria, and other areas, focusing specifically on the Syrian uprising and civil war.
Kataib Hezbollah, the militia involved in the abduction, is recognized as a powerful Iraqi Shia group with financial and military backing from Iran. The US designated it a terrorist organization in 2009.
In related remarks, Trump affirmed his commitment to fighting for justice and made a statement regarding hostages taken by Hamas during its recent attacks on Israel, demanding their release. This incident involving Tsurkov raises questions about the safety of researchers in conflict zones and the complexities of regional politics.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xydl9pdjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss