Jabhat al-Nusra releases all 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers after holding them hostage for two weeks

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

All 45 peacekeepers held hostage by a militant Islamic group in Syria have been freed, the UN has announced.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the UN said the Fijian hostages were handed over unharmed on Thursday afternoon after being held for two weeks by the Jabhat al-Nusra. The UN's humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, expressed her relief.

UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) at 1430lcl 45 Fiji @UNPeacekeeping were released & handed over 2 UNDOF at pos 80. All r in good condition. More details later.

The peacekeepers, part of the UN's Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights, were being held by Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaida linked group that is a rival to Islamic State (Isis) militants who control large parts of Syria and Iraq.

The release came after they appeared in a video and were told they would be freed soon. Standing in front of the hostages, a spokesman for the militants said they had consulted religious leaders and had been advised to release these prisoners.

In Jordan. Relieved to hear that the Fijian were released Valerie Amos (@ValerieAmos) #peacekeepers

At the end of the clip, a Fijian peacekeeper, who did not identify himself, confirmed in English that they had been told they were about to be freed.

"It is Tuesday, the ninth of September, I would like to mention to you that it is a very happy day. We have been informed that we will be released soon and we are all very happy to be going home," he said.

The peacekeeper added that the troops were well and thanked Jabhat al-Nusra "for keeping us safe and keeping us alive". "I would like to assure you that we have not been harmed in any way," he said.

Jabhat al-Nusra had originally demanded various terms for the release of the peacekeepers, including the delivery of aid to areas besieged by the Syrian government, the release of prisoners and the group's removal from a UN terror blacklist.

The peacekeepers were taken hostage when Jabhat al-Nusra fighters stormed the Syrian side of the Quneitra crossing that leads to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.