American Journalist Held By Al-Qaeda Affiliate In Syria Is Freed After Nearly Two Years

Peter Theo Curtis was abducted by al-Nusrah Front in 2012.

American journalist Peter Theo Curtis was held captive for nearly two years by an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria but was freed on Sunday, reported a representative for the journalist's family and Al Jazeera .

Curtis was abducted on the Syria-Turkey border in October 2012 by the al-Qaeda branch in Syria al-Nusrah Front, which has since broken with the radical group ISIS, who beheaded American journalist James Foley and posted a graphic video of the execution last Tuesday.

A family friend of Curtis' confirmed to the New York Times on Sunday that Mr. Curtis, originally from Boston, was in the custody of a United Nations representative.

Earlier this summer, footage of Curtis was released by the terrorist organization. In the June 30 video, he was seen with long hair and a beard, stated he was a journalist from Boston, and read from a script saying that he "had everything" he needed and "everything has been perfect, food, clothing, even friends now."

Secretary of State John Kerry has said he was relieved Curtis was coming home, and blamed the kidnapping on Syria's al-Nusra Front.

"We are all relieved and grateful knowing that Theo Curtis is coming home after so much time held in the clutches of [al-Nusrah Front], he said.

Kerry also said the US would be using "every diplomatic, intelligence, and military tool" available to help free other Americans held captive.

There are at least 30 journalists who are reported missing or kidnapped in Syria, and 52 have been killed since the civil war began in 2011.

LINK: 10 Journalists Who Are Missing In Syria

LINK: This Is How We Should Remember James Foley

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