The ministry announced in a statement: "We announce the release of the Iraqi citizen Abu Al-Hasan Hamid Moussa on the evening of Saturday, September 14, 2024. He was kidnapped three weeks ago in the Al-Bayada area in the countryside of Homs, after coming from Basra to marry a Syrian woman."
The statement continued: "Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Iraqi embassies in Damascus and Beirut, in cooperation with the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and direct communication with the security leaders in the Syrian government and Lebanese security agencies, represented by the Intelligence Directorate, the citizen was freed."
The ministry added that "the gang responsible for the kidnapping had demanded a ransom of 500,000 dollars. However, the Iraqi embassy and the National Intelligence Service were able to secure his release without engaging in any negotiations with the kidnappers. The perpetrators will be dealt with according to the law by the relevant authorities."
It confirmed its "steadfast commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and expresses its appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the Iraqi security agencies and their counterparts in Syria and Lebanon, which contributed to this success."