American held by al-Qaeda group freed
Man’s family praises international effort
An American held captive for two years by an al- Qaeda-linked group in Syria was released Sunday, according to the Obama administration and the hostage’s family.
“For two years, we have kept Peter Theo Curtis, a U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria, in our thoughts and prayers,” White House national security adviser Susan Rice said in a statement. “Today, we join his family and loved ones in welcoming his freedom.”
Curtis, 45, who is from Massachusetts, was held by the Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as the alNusra Front, a branch of al- Qaeda in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.
Curtis is a freelance journalist who writes under the name Theo Padnos, according to a statement Sunday by his family expressing gratitude to the United States, Qatar and others who helped negotiate his release. He was captured shortly after he crossed into Syria in October 2012.
“My heart is full at the extraordinary, dedicated, incredible people, too many to name
“My heart is full at the extraordinary, dedicated, incredible people. ... We will be eternally grateful.” Nancy Curtis, hostage’s mother
individually, who have become my friends and have tirelessly helped us over these many months,” his mother, Nancy Curtis from Cambridge, Mass., said in the statement. “Please know that we will be eternally grateful.”
Nancy Curtis said the family didn’t know the details of the negotiation for Curtis’ release, but relatives “were repeatedly told by representatives of the Qatari government that they were mediating for Theo’s release on a humanitarian basis without the payment of money.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed late Sunday that the Gulf emirate gained Curtis’ release. Qatar “exerted relentless efforts to release the American journalist out of Qatar’s belief in the principles of humanity and out of concern for the lives of individuals and their right to freedom and dignity,” according to a government statement released by the Qatar News Agency.
Curtis was handed over to United Nations peacekeepers in Golan Heights on Sunday evening, according to a U.N. statement. After receiving medical attention, he was handed over to U.S. government representatives, the statement said.
“The United States reached out to more than two dozen countries, asking for urgent help from anyone who might have tools, influence or leverage to help secure Theo’s release and the release of any Americans held hostage in Syria,” Kerry said.
President Obama, who was wrapping up a vacation in Massachusetts, was briefed Sunday morning on Curtis’ release.
“The president shares in the joy and relief that we all feel now that Theo is out of Syria and safe,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said.