Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian citizen and Princeton graduate student, has been released in Iraq after being held captive since March 2023 by the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah.
The information was confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday.
Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that Tsurkov, who was reportedly tortured during her captivity, is now at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. He also called for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Prime Minister al-Sudani described Tsurkov’s release as the result of “extensive efforts exerted by our security agencies over many months” and reaffirmed that Iraq will not tolerate actions undermining the state or its reputation.
Tsurkov was conducting academic research in Iraq at the time of her abduction. Her sister, Emma Tsurkov, an American citizen, credited the U.S. government, including Trump’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, for securing her release, and expressed relief at her return.
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Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Wednesday that Denmark was unable to change the U.S. position on Greenland after talks with American officials in Washington.
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Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
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