Italian aid workers taken hostage in Syria released after 6 months

ROME, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Two Italian aid workers, abducted in July by an al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, have been released.

Greta Ramelli, 20, and Vanessa Marzullo, 21, landed in Rome on Friday. They were escorted by Italian officials aboard a private plane following their release on Thursday by al-Nusra Front.

The two women, who appeared in a proof-of-life video posted online Jan. 1. warning "we could be killed," were abducted while working in the embattled northern city of Aleppo.

It is unclear what brought about their release, although there is speculation the Italian government may have paid a ransom, with unconfirmed rumors of a $15 million payment. Italy, France and Spain are three countries believed to submit to ransom demands, a practice condemned by the United States.

Italy's foreign ministry would only say their release was secured through "intense work by team Italy."