Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian researcher, has been released after enduring months of torture at the hands of her abductors in Iraq, US President Donald Trump announced. In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that Tsurkov was freed by the Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, and that she is now safe at the American embassy in Iraq.
Shortly after, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani corroborated the news of her release, which capstones extensive efforts by Iraqi security forces over several months. In a statement on X, al-Sudani detailed how the security services were able to uncover the location where the student was held and subsequently facilitate her transfer to the US embassy.
Tsurkov went missing during a research trip to Iraq in March 2023, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stating that she was captured by Kataib Hezbollah. According to Tsurkov's website, her work predominantly revolves around topics concerning the Levant and the Syrian civil war.
Kataib Hezbollah is a prominent Iraqi Shia militia, considered a terrorist organization by the US since 2009, receiving financial and military assistance from Iran. In his statement, Trump expressed his unwavering fight for justice and also called for Hamas to release hostages seized during recent attacks on Israel.
