© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WECS · WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM · WVOF
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

White House Says There's At Least One Other American Hostage Held In Syria

At least one other American is being held hostage in Syria, White House Press Secretary Joshua Earnest said during his daily briefing.

Earnest was asked if 26-year-old Kayla Mueller, who died during Jordanian airstrikes against the self-styled Islamic State in Syria, was the last American believed to be in the hands of the Sunni militants.

"Sadly, I cannot say that," Earnest said. "There is at least one other hostage that is held in the region."

Earnest would not say if the hostage was being held by the Islamic State but he said that at least one person was being held in Syria.

The Islamic State has killed three other American hostages: American journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley and aid-worker Peter Kassig. Mueller was being held by the militants in a building that was targeted by the American-led coalition.

Earnest said giving more details about the other American hostage is not in their interest.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Eyder Peralta is NPR's East Africa correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.