Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information her Department holds on the organisations responsible for the kidnap for ransom of (a) aid workers and (b) other representatives of non-governmental organisations operating in Idlib province in Syria.

​A number of armed groups operate in Idlib province, several of which have either engaged in or pose a risk of kidnap for ransom. There remains a very high risk of kidnapping in Idlib and throughout Syria, which can be for financial or political gain. An individual's occupation may not protect them against kidnapping, and many terrorists in Syria view those engaged in humanitarian aid work as legitimate targets. We continue to advise British nationals against travel to Syria and our Travel Advice highlights the very real threat from kidnapping.