Peshmerga freed from IS captivity in prisoners exchange

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces announced on Saturday that a kidnapped Peshmerga fighter was freed from Islamic State (IS) captivity near Kirkuk, in a prisoners swap.

Abdullah Bor, a Peshmerga commander in Kirkuk told Kurdistan24 that Said Ahmed Surchi, a Peshmerga in Soran’s 116 Brigade, was released from IS captivity today in exchange for an imprisoned IS senior member.

On May 27, IS extremists launched a prolonged attack on the Peshmerga front lines in Khurmatu, southern Kirkuk. 

According to Peshmerga commanders, seven Peshmerga fighters were injured and one was kidnapped in then clashes.

They also reported that "many" jihadists were killed but did not give further details.

Originally from a village in Khalifan sub-district in Erbil province, Surchi has been in an IS prison for nearly two months. 

“The process of exchanging the Peshmerga fighter with IS member has finished and he will reunite with his family in no time," he concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa