Abu Dhabi Police has called on drivers to be careful and use alternative routes
uae11 hours ago
Al Qaeda's Syrian wing, the Nusra Front, released 16 Lebanese soldiers and policemen held captive since August, 2014 on Tuesday in a Qatari-mediated deal that also secured freedom for a jailed ex-wife of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The Nusra Front seized the Lebanese during an attack on the border town of Arsal mounted together with the Daesh group which is still believed to be holding nine soldiers captured in the incursion.
Live TV footage from the border area between Lebanon and Syria showed the Lebanese captives in vehicles accompanied by masked men armed with assault rifles and waving the Nusra Front flag before they were released to the Red Cross.
Thirteen militants in Lebanese jails, including Saja Al Dulaimi, the ex-wife of Baghdadi, were also released. Dulaimi, fully veiled, was shown in live TV footage from the area with her three children who were with her in prison.
Nusra Front fighters were shown kissing and hugging the sons of Dulaimi, who was arrested by the Lebanese authorities a year ago. Speaking to Al Jazeera, she said her wish was to return to Beirut and then to leave to Turkey.
"We accomplished the entire agreement with Nusra. We received our heroic soldiers and we are on our way back to Beirut," top Lebanese security official Abbas Ibrahim, who oversaw the swap, said by telephone.
"This joy not complete until the return of those kidnapped by Daesh. We are ready to negotiate with Daesh if we find someone to negotiate with," he said.
The Nusra Front fighters chanted "God is great" as they arrived with the captives in preparation for the swap. One of the captives, interviewed by Al Jazeera, said the group had treated them well.
Nusra has killed four of the captives.
"Praise be to God. The joy cannot be described," another of the captives told Al Jazeera.
The exchange began with the Nusra Front releasing the body of one of the Lebanese soldiers it had killed in captivity, Mohamed Hamieh.
Qatar has been involved in efforts to mediate the release of the captives for a year or more. A previous effort to secure their release broke down a year ago after one of the captives was killed.
Abu Dhabi Police has called on drivers to be careful and use alternative routes
uae11 hours ago
Official says the bomb blast happened after a militant group demanded extortion money from the group that runs the school
world11 hours ago
He accuses sports bodies of not allowing Russian athletes to perform at the games with the country's banner, flag and national anthem
world11 hours ago
Renowned media and marketing professional to spearhead strategic growth and development initiatives for Dugasta Properties in Dubai
kt network12 hours ago
'Last night, the Israel Defence Forces (army) rescued the bodies of our hostages,' a military spokesman said
mena12 hours ago
TikTok spokesperson says it never shared Canadian user data with the Chinese government
tech13 hours ago
Public asked to increase cyber awareness to protect themselves from falling preys and losing data
uae13 hours ago
The incident occurred when around 180 passengers were onboard; inquiry launched
world14 hours ago