Iraqi Kurdish special forces rescue teenage Swedish girl from IS
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraqi Kurdish special forces rescue teenage Swedish girl from IS, 23 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdf5415.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 23, 2016
Authorities in northern Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region say a teenage Swedish girl who was being held by Islamic State (IS) militants has been rescued in a raid by Iraqi Kurdish special forces.
A statement issued by officials in Iraq's Kurdish region on February 23 said the 16-year-old girl had travelled from Sweden to Syria in 2015 and then crossed the border into Iraq.
The statement said the girl was rescued on February 17 near the IS militants' stronghold of Mosul by forces from the region's counterterrorism department.
It also said the girl was "misled" into making the journey to Syria and then Mosul by an IS member in Sweden.
The statement said it had been called upon by Swedish authorities and members of her family to assist in locating and rescuing her from the IS group.
There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from the Swedish authorities.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
