Wife of Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi handed over to Syrian jihadists in Lebanon prisoner exchange
Saja Dulaimi, who was married to the Isis leader six years ago, says she now wants to ‘travel to Turkey’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Lebanese army has reportedly released the ex-wife of Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as part of a prisoner swap deal brokered by Qatar.
Saja Dulaimi, who was married to the militant commander six years ago, has been handed over to the al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front group, and says she hopes to travel to Turkey.
Remarkable footage of the exchange showed a veiled woman carrying a child being handed from one group of armed men to another before entering a military ambulance.
Al Jazeera, which broadcast from above the street where the exchange took place, was unable to confirm if this was Ms Dulaimi herself, but senior Lebanese security officials said she was among five women handed over by Lebanon.
In all, the Lebanese army gave up 13 prisoners in the deal that comes after month of mediation by Qatar – which funds Al Jazeera. As well as Ms Dulaimi, they reportedly included Jumana Hmayed, who was arrested on charges of “transporting terrorists into Lebanon”.
In exchange, Nusra Front released 16 soldiers and policemen, plus the body of killed Lebanese soldier Mohammed Hamieh.
"My happiness is beyond description," a Lebanese policeman told the Associated Press shortly after he was brought to the point where the exchange would take place on the edge of Arsal, at the Lebanese-Syrian border.
Suleiman Dirani, another of those held captive, thanked "our brothers" from the Nusra Front for what he said was good treatment. "We are leaving here as we came, we are all in good health," he said.
Ms Dulaimi was captured by Lebanese security officers in November last year after she entered the country illegally with her current husband, using forged identity cards.
Officials say she was married to Baghdadi for just three months in 2009, yet may have been in a relationship with him since 2005. She was detained along with her 10-year-old daughter, who is reported to have been fathered by the Isis leader.
In June 2015, she gave birth in prison to a baby girl. According to Al Jazeera, she and her current husband want to start a new life for their family in Turkey.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments