Elizabeth Tsurkov Freed: Israeli-Russian Researcher Released from Iraq
- Elizabeth Tsurkov, an israeli-Russian researcher, was released from captivity in Iraq on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, after being held for over a year.She initially went missing during a...
- According to her website, Tsurkov's research focuses on the Levant - a historical region encompassing present-day Israel, Syria, and surrounding areas - and specifically the Syrian uprising and...
- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced Tsurkov's release on X (formerly Twitter), stating it was the result of "extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the...
Israeli-Russian Researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov Released After Months Held in Iraq
Table of Contents
Background: The Disappearance and Alleged Captivity
Elizabeth Tsurkov, an israeli-Russian researcher, was released from captivity in Iraq on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, after being held for over a year.She initially went missing during a research trip in March 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated several months later that she was being held by Kataib Hezbollah,an Iran-backed Shia militia.
According to her website, Tsurkov’s research focuses on the Levant – a historical region encompassing present-day Israel, Syria, and surrounding areas – and specifically the Syrian uprising and civil war. She entered Iraq using her Russian passport, as confirmed by Netanyahu’s office.
The release and Iraqi Government’s Role
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced Tsurkov’s release on X (formerly Twitter), stating it was the result of “extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the course of many months.” He detailed that iraqi security forces located the location where Tsurkov was being held and afterward handed her over to the U.S.Embassy in Baghdad.
Who is Kataib Hezbollah?
Kataib Hezbollah (Brigades of the Party of God) is a powerful Iraqi Shia militia with close ties to Iran, receiving both financial and military support. The United States designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2009, citing its involvement in attacks against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. The U.S. State Department provides further information on Iraq and its security landscape.
Donald Trump’s Statement and the Hostage Situation in Gaza
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on Tsurkov’s release via his Truth Social platform,stating,”I will always fight for justice and never give up.” He then shifted focus to the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza, calling on Hamas to “release the hostages, now!” This statement references the individuals seized by Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The New York Times provides extensive coverage of the October 7th attack.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2023 | Elizabeth Tsurkov goes missing in Iraq. |
| Later in 2023 | Benjamin Netanyahu announces Tsurkov is being held by Kataib Hezbollah. |
| September 3, 2024 | Elizabeth Tsurkov is released and handed over to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. |
| September 9, 2024 | News of Tsurkov’s release widely reported. |