The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday afternoon that two of its staff members who were abducted in February this year in Jawzjan province have been released. 

The ICRC head of delegation in Afghanistan, Monica Zanarelli said in a statement: “We are relieved and grateful that our colleagues are now back with us unharmed.”
 
She said: “Their abduction and the killings of our six colleagues were emotional agony for all of us, especially for their families and friends.” 

The two staff members were abducted by an armed group on 8 February while on their way to deliver assistance in Jawzjan province. The two staff members had been with six other colleagues at the time. The other six were shot and killed in the same attack. 

“It has taken a lot of effort, and we are thankful to the communities and the authorities who have mobilized and played a role in facilitating our colleagues’ release,” said Zanarelli.
 
“Our priority now is their well-being and being reunited with their families. We ask everyone to respect their and their families’ privacy at this time.” 

The ICRC would not say who kidnapped the two staff members nor would they release any details regarding the release.