The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appealed on Sunday for information on the whereabouts of three employees abducted in Syria more than five years ago and last known to have been held by the Islamic State (ISIS). Breaking its silence on the case, the aid agency identified the three workers as Louisa Akavi, a nurse from New Zealand, and Syrian drivers Alaa Rajab and Nabil Bakdounes. If our colleagues are still being held, we call for their immediate and unconditional release," the ICRC said in a statement. The three were travelling in a Red Cross convoy that was delivering supplies to medical facilities in Idlib in northwestern Syria, when it was stopped by armed men on Oct. 13, 2013. "What we actually know is that Louisa has been working as a nurse during her abduction which shows her dedication and commitment to the mission and mandate of the Red Cross — caring for people affected by conflict," he said.

Source: CBC News April 14, 2019 22:18 UTC