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Middle East sees most hostage-taking of journalists in 2021, report says

Reporters Without Borders said of the 65 journalists held by nonstate actors worldwide, nearly all were abducted in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
AFP reporter Sammy Ketz hits the ground as a Syrian soldier runs past during sniper fire in the ancient Christian Syrian town of Maalula, on Sept. 18, 2013.

Nearly all the journalists who are held hostage around the world were abducted in the Middle East, according to Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) yearly report on journalists who are detained, held hostage, missing or killed on the job.

The advocacy group says at least 65 journalists and media workers are currently held by nonstate actors. Of them, 44 were seized in Syria, 11 in Iraq and nine in Yemen. Many are presumed dead. 

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