14 Iranian fishermen freed by Somalian militant group after 8-year captivity

TEHRAN: Fourteen Iranian fishermen were released about eight years after being held by the Somalian al-Shabaab militant group, Tasnim News Agency reported Sunday.

Following intensive diplomatic efforts, the Iranian foreign ministry “successfully negotiated the release of the hostages held by the al-Shabaab group in Somalia,” said the Tasnim report.

The released fishermen arrived in Tehran from Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, on Saturday night.

Al-Shabaab kidnapped the Iranian fishermen in international waters near Somalia in 2015.

-Xinhua