In a glimmer of hope amid deepening gloom in Iraq, all the 46 Indian nurses held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a Sunni militant group ravaging the Gulf state, have been released.
“I can confirm to you that the nurses have been freed,” Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry, announced on July 4.
They have been handed over to Indian officials at the Erbil checkpoint in Kurdistan from where a special Air India aircraft will bring the stranded nurses back home to Kochi. A state official from Kerala and another from the centre are expected to accompany the aircraft.
Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy confirmed the news of the release, adding they were all safe. “We are happy to solve a humanitarian issue. The poor nurse had gone to Iraq to earn a livelihood and they wanted to come back.”
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
DiplomacyDecember 14, 2024India, Iran and Armenia Advance Connectivity Push with Trilateral Talks in New Delhi- DiplomacyDecember 13, 2024Brazil’s G20 Presidency will focus on tangible results on UNSC reforms, climate action
- DiplomacyDecember 6, 2024India and Vietnam Strengthen Security Ties at 3rd Deputy Ministerial-Level Dialogue
- India and the WorldDecember 6, 2024India and UK Revitalize Strategic Ties at 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi
