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Spanish hostages freed from Somalia | Spanish hostages freed from Somalia |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two Spanish aid workers kidnapped in Kenya nearly two years ago and held over the border in Somali have been freed, their employer has said. | Two Spanish aid workers kidnapped in Kenya nearly two years ago and held over the border in Somali have been freed, their employer has said. |
Medecins Sans Frontieres said the two women were both "safe and healthy and keen to join their loved ones". | Medecins Sans Frontieres said the two women were both "safe and healthy and keen to join their loved ones". |
Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut were abducted from Dadaab refugee camp in October 2011. | Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut were abducted from Dadaab refugee camp in October 2011. |
Following their abduction and those of other hostages, Kenya sent troops into Somalia to battle Islamist militants. | Following their abduction and those of other hostages, Kenya sent troops into Somalia to battle Islamist militants. |
In a statement, MSF said it was with great relief that the organisation was able to confirm the women's release. | In a statement, MSF said it was with great relief that the organisation was able to confirm the women's release. |
"MSF wishes to thank everyone involved in securing their safe release," it said, without giving further details about how they were freed. | "MSF wishes to thank everyone involved in securing their safe release," it said, without giving further details about how they were freed. |
"As we are still working on the return of the two girls to their homes, we ask you to respect their need for privacy at this time." | "As we are still working on the return of the two girls to their homes, we ask you to respect their need for privacy at this time." |
The women were kidnapped on 13 October 2011 by gunmen who opened fire on their vehicle inside the Dadaab refugee camp complex, shooting and wounding their Kenyan driver. | |
Dadaab, said to be the world's largest refugee camp, houses some 500,000 people who have fled years of conflict and drought across the border in Somalia. |