Diane Foley in 2014. (Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Diane Foley, the mother of journalist James Foley, spoke out Sunday about the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
James Foley, from Rochester, N.H., was covering the war in Syria when he was kidnapped by the Islamic State in 2012. He was later beheaded in 2014, after being held hostage for 21 months.
Diane Foley told WBZ NewsRadio’s Mike Macklin that she is “grateful” following the death of al-Baghdadi.
“[ISIS] is a very shrewd and hateful group,” she said. “This is a huge blow to them, and so, I’m grateful. However, I hope we will continue to stay vigilant.”
Foley has asked President Donald Trump to keep U.S. troops in Syria.
“I’m very grateful that the president is reconsidering that and keeping some of our elite troops in place because I think our leadership is needed to contain these terrorist groups, and to promote peace,” she said.
Foley also called upon the Trump Administration to continue to “find and bring home” American hostages.
“There are hundreds of innocent Americans who are taken hostage every year around the world,” Foley said. “I would ask that our country have the back of these brave Americans.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Mike Macklin reports
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