Two Hungarians kidnapped in Syria, report

Hungary announced that two of its nationals were kidnapped in Syria on Saturday by unknown gunmen.

“The Foreign Ministry and TEK (Hungary’s Anti-Terrorism Center) confirmed that two men working in Syria were kidnapped on Saturday at dawn by unknown gunmen,” said Peter Szijjarto, a spokesman for Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a statement to MTI, the Hungarian state news agency.

“Hungary will look after its citizens who are in difficulties abroad … Members of the Anti-Terrorism Centre are ready to get to the region as soon as possible to collect the necessary information.”

The Hungarian government declined to reveal further details, citing security concerns.

It is not clear whether this incident has anything to to do with Hungary’s compliance with EU sanctions against Syria

INA Industrija Nafte d.d., a Croatian refiner controlled by Hungary’s Mol Nyrt. (MOL), announced on Feb. 27 that it was pulling out of Syria, following the Croatian government decree to abide by an EU sanctions on the Middle Eastern country

INA’s chief Zoltan Aldott said following the pullout from Syria:”“We don’t expect this to be a short-term issue”.

Syria’s remaining cash reserves are quickly dwindling as the country’s anti-government uprising marks its 13th month, according to intelligence officials and financial analysts who describe a steady hollowing-out of the country’s economy in the face of sanctions.