ERBIL - The jihadists of Islamic State (IS) have asked for a ransom to release a couple of Kurdish abductees who were abducted earlier this week in south of Kirkuk.

"The terrorists of Daesh [Islamic State] , in order to release two Kurdish youths who were abducted two days ago in Daquq, are asking for a ransom," Hiwa Rasheed, a Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) representative in the area, told BasNews on Thursday.

He further explained that the militants had used the cell phones of the two abductees to contact their families and reach an agreement on the amount of the money.

"They're still in talks with the families of the youths," Rasheed said, noting that it was not yet clear if the two sides could agree on the amount.

The pair was reportedly kidnapped in Daquq town of disputed Kurdish province of Kirkuk on Tuesday, May 26.

BasNews