Factbox: Greta and Vanessa 6 month drama

(ANSA) - Rome, October 5 - Italian hostages Greta Ramelli and Vanessa Marzullo disappeared at Abizmu in northern Syria at the end of July 2014.
    According to informed sources with whom ANSA was in constant contact during the case, the two young women were held all the time in the region where they were kidnapped, in the Abizmu countryside, an area near Aleppo outside the control of both troops of the Syrian regime and Al Qaida militiamen where as many as six armed groups and other minor outfits were active.
    It is not excluded that the two young women were sold on by the kidnappers, a group according to the well-informed Lebanese press close to the Damascus regime who may have been attracted to the region as part of a prepared plan to kidnap the Italians and demand a ransom.
    The recent condemnation by an 'Islamic tribunal' of the Nureddin Zenki Movement, one of the militias already indicated as involved in the kidnapping, identifies Hussam Atrash, described as a local warlord and head of the local Ansar al Islam group, as one of the key players in the affair.
    The turning point in the ordeal came December 31, 2014, with a video that was viewed around the world. "We beg our government to bring us home" was the request of the two Italian volunteers. Two weeks later, January 15, 2015, their request was fulfilled.
    The announcement of their release came with a tweet from Palazzo Chigi, confirming a tip on Al Jazeera television according to which they were released by the al Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of Al Qaida.
    In Italy alongside the joy of the families and relief of the government a furore erupted over the presumed ransom paid to the kidnappers, said by Northern League leader Matteo Salvini to amount to 12 million euros.