PRESS RELEASE | June 2, 2012
ISAF Forces Rescue Four Civilians from Taliban
By , ISAF Public Affairs Office

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 2, 2012) – The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirms the rescue of four civilians who were being held by insurgents in Northern Afghanistan during an early morning raid today.

Ms. Helen Johnston, Ms. Moragwe Oirere, and two Afghan civilians were kidnapped on May 22, 2012, in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan. Ms. Johnston and her colleagues are employees of Medair, a humanitarian non-governmental organization based near Lausanne, Switzerland.

“First, I would like to thank the Afghan Ministry of the Interior and Minster Mohammadi for their tremendous support throughout this crisis. Second, this morning’s mission, conducted by coalition forces, exemplifies our collective and unwavering commitment to defeat the Taliban,” said Gen. John R. Allen, commander, International Security Assistance Force. “I’m extremely grateful to the Afghan authorities and proud of the ISAF forces that planned, rehearsed, and successfully conducted this operation. Thanks to them, Ms. Helen Johnston, Ms. Moragwe Oirere, and their two co-workers will soon be rejoining their families and loved ones.”