ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—A Rudaw reporter who was captured by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria last year was released Monday in a prisoner exchange with the Kurdish forces in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).
Massoud Aqeel who worked for Rudaw as a freelance cameraman was held captive for ten months.
He was released as part of a prisoner exchange between ISIS and the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG).
Aqeel reunited with his family in the Kurdish city of Qamishlo shortly after his release Monday evening.
Rudaw Media Network is deeply pleased by Aqeel’s freedom, and hopes for the safe return of his colleague Hamo who is still held captive.
Aqeel was captured along with his colleague Farhad Hamo by ISIS militants on December 15, 2014 at the Heso-Ratla junction on the main highway connecting Qamishlo to Tel Kocher.
The reporter and cameraman were on a reporting mission for Rudaw TV when they were captured.
Meanwhile Rudaw thanks all parties and persons who facilitated Aqeel’s release.
