Qatar searches for remains of Americans killed by Daesh in Syria: Reuters

A Qatari-led international search and rescue team, accompanied by American personnel, has launched a mission to locate the remains of US hostages killed by Daesh in northern Syria nearly a decade ago, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the operation.

The effort, which began on Wednesday, focuses initially on the area around Dabiq, where US aid worker Peter Kassig was beheaded in 2014.

The mission aims to recover the remains of several Americans executed by Daesh, including Kassig, journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid worker Kayla Mueller.

A Syrian security source told Reuters that three bodies have been uncovered so far, though their identities are yet to be confirmed. Mueller’s case is particularly complex, as she was reportedly held in captivity by Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi until her death in 2015.

The Qatari team, known for its disaster relief efforts in Turkey and Morocco, is continuing long-standing US efforts to locate the victims’ remains.

Diane Foley, James Foley’s mother, expressed gratitude for the mission, stating, “We’re We’re grateful for anyone taking on this task and risking their lives to try and find the bodies of Jim and the other hostages.”

The mission follows discussions during an April visit to Washington by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al Khulaifi, which also addressed preparations for an upcoming visit to Qatar by US President Donald Trump.

The US State Department has not yet commented on the operation.