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American, Iraqi captives freed in IraqMilitary: Detainee tip led to raidFrom Octavia Nasr ![]() Roy Hallums was last seen in a video, released in January. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS(CNN) -- Acting on a tip from a detainee, coalition forces rescued two hostages, including an American held hostage since November, the U.S. military said Wednesday. Roy Hallums and an Iraqi man were freed "from captivity in an isolated farm house located 15 miles south of Baghdad," the military said. The military said Hallums released this statement after his release: "I want to thank all of those who were involved in my rescue -- to those who continuously tracked my captors and location, and to those who physically brought me freedom today. "To all of you, I will be forever grateful. Both of us are in good health and look forward to returning to our respective families. Thank you to all who kept me and my family in their thoughts and prayers." The military said the raid was planned quickly after an Iraqi detainee divulged the pair's location. Hallums called from Baghdad on Wednesday, his ex-wife, Susan Hallums, told CNN. "He said that he was well, and he was heading home soon," the ex-wife said. Speaking by phone from her home in California, she told CNN her ex-husband said he had been "tied and bound" and cannot walk well. Otherwise, he said he is doing OK, she told CNN. The military said Roy Hallums is doing well and received medical care. Susan Hallums said Roy Hallums first called his younger daughter Amanda in Memphis, Tennessee, and told her, "I was rescued. I love you. I am sorry I'm a little late for Thanksgiving." Hallums and five others were taken hostage in an attack in Baghdad's Mansour neighborhood November 1. A security guard and one of about 20 attackers died in the gunfight. The kidnappers later released four captives but kept Hallums and Filipino accountant Robert Tarongoy. All six worked for a Saudi-based food contractor. Tarongoy, 31, was freed in June. Hallums turned 57 in June and at the time, Susan Hallums held a candlelight vigil for him. A video of Hallums was released in January, in which he said he worked with American forces and was "arrested by a resistance group in Iraq."
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