Doha/information office /18 March 2016 / The group of released Djiboutian prisoners of war expressed their deep thanks and sincere gratitude to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the State of Qatar's efforts to secure their release them after spending eight years in captivity. Speaking during a press conference at Hamad International Airport before leaving for their country, the prisoners of war said the State of Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Emir, has always been a supporter of humanitarian issues and always works wholeheartedly in mediation efforts, which finally resulted in their release and their return to their country and families after losing hope over the past years in getting out of captivity. The prisoners of war likened the moment of their release to coming back to life, noting that this happened thanks to the Qatari mediation and Qatar's efforts to give them their freedom back and help them return safely to their families and country. One of the released prisoners of war expressed his delight "not only for being released but also because I felt that we have brothers in Qatar who stood by us and were the reason in our return to our homes after all these long years." "I'd like to thank all the Qatari people and mainly HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani," whose efforts were the reason "we embraced freedom again and are now returning to our families and country." In turn, prisoner of war Mahmoud Hudeid said the moment they learned about their release was as though they were born again. "I didn't realize what was going on until I heard that Qatar was behind our release." He thanked Qatar's Emir, government and people for such "a noble stance and this initiative that led to our release from captivity and return to our life, country and families," adding that words can't describe the role of Qatar in setting them free. For his part, prisoner of war Othman Mohamed voiced his thanks and gratitude to Qatar and the Qatari people under the leadership of HH the Emir for the initiative that resulted in their release. "Qatar's efforts to release us will be a bright sign and a source of appreciation and respect from the people of Djibouti, and we will never forget the backing of our Qatari brothers and giving us our freedom back." Hudeid prayed that safety, security and peace will always prevail in Qatar, saying that it "deserves all our thanks and gratitude and we will always have affection towards the Qatari people who are brothers to us." Prisoner of war Ali Abdullah expressed his gratitude to everyone that contributed to their release. "All appreciation and love to our brothers in Qatar. We wouldn't be able to embrace freedom again if it was not for the sincere efforts of the State of Qatar to secure our release." "We will always remember Qatar's standing by our side and its work to end our captivity," Abdullah added. The released prisoners of war expressed thanks for being hosted in Qatar before their return to their country and for the hospitality they received in Doha, voicing the gratitude of all the Djiboutian people to the State of Qatar.