Chechen Leader Kadyrov Says 6 Russians, 6 Kazakhs Evacuated From Iraqi Tal Afar

As part of a humanitarian operation, six Russian and six Kazakh nationals were evacuated from the Iraqi city of Tal Afar, Russia’s Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram account that the nationals of Kazakhstan and Russia were saved during a major humanitarian operation. Ziyad Sabsabi, a special representative of the Chechen leader in the Middle East and North Africa, was sent to accompish the goal.

"We managed to save 12 people in Tal Afar, including six Russians and six Kazakhs, and deliver them to a safe place," Kadyrov wrote.

 

Assalamu Aleykum! In Iraqi Kurdistan, the next stage of a major humanitarian operation to save citizens of Russia and the CIS countries was completed. For its organization, I sent a representative of the head of the Chechen Republic in Iraq to the Middle East and North Africa, Senator Ziyad Sabsabi. On the eve we managed to free In Tal-Afar and deliver to a safe place 12 people, including 6 citizens of Russia and the same number of citizens of Kazakhstan. Special services and law enforcement agencies of Iraqi Kurdistan took part in the operation to rescue these individuals. Greater support was provided by the staff of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Erbil. As part of the solution of the problem, Mr Sabsabi met with the head of the administration of the President of Kurdistan, Fuad Khusein, the Foreign Minister Falah Mustafa, the Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari and the deputy head of the Kurdistan Security Council Reber Akhmad. Mr Sabsabi conveyed the words of gratitude for the immense help and assistance in saving our citizens. The interlocutors expressed readiness to continue cooperating with the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic in addressing such important humanitarian problems. They noted that Russia specifically deals with the fate of its citizens. The parties noted the effectiveness of the jointly created mechanism for the liberation and return of Russian citizens to their homeland. While we can not disclose all the details of the operation, as this can lead to its disruption and endanger the lives of participants. I can say that the location of six other citizens of Russia who, through different channels, have appealed to me for help has been established. Mr Sabsabi managed to meet with them in one of the isolators of Kurdistan. Conditions of detention are very difficult. But we are trying to quickly solve this problem. I would like to remind you once again that we give limited information about the humanitarian action in the Middle East, not because we want to hide it from anyone, the press, or the public. Our goal is to ensure the safety of children, participants of the operation.

Публикация от Ramzan Kadyrov (@kadyrov_95eng) Авг 24 2017 в 7:09 PDT

 

According to Kadyrov, the location of six other Russian citizens has been determined as Iraqi Kurdistan.

Kurdish law enforcement agencies took part in the operation, while Russia's Consulate General in Erbil provided substantial support, Kadyrov added.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the beginning of the military offensive aimed at retaking Tal Afar, which is located 30 miles away from recently liberated Mosul. Tal Afar is the last major stronghold of the Daesh terrorist group, outlawed in Russia, on the Iraqi border with Syria.