A German journalist who was detained in Syria has been released, her family has confirmed. Eva Maria Michelmann arrived from Jordan on Friday, after being held since her arrest in the Syrian city of Raqqa on January 18.

Michelmann, who is from Cologne, had been working as a freelance journalist in Syria since 2002. Her brother, Antonius Michelmann, told the dpa news agency that she was doing well under the circumstances but had spent a significant period in solitary confinement.

The Syrian Ministry of Information had previously stated that Michelmann was arrested during a military operation in Raqqa. At the time of her arrest, a Kurdish journalist, Turkish citizen Ahmed Polad, was also detained. "There is still no trace of this colleague," Antonius Michelmann said regarding Polad.

According to the Syrian Information Ministry, Michelmann was apprehended during a raid on a building associated with a group linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The ministry reported that everyone present was arrested after fighters inside barricaded themselves. Two foreign nationals were taken into custody during the operation, the statement added.

Initially, Michelmann reportedly claimed to be a Spanish national working for a UN-affiliated organization. However, an inquiry to the UN revealed no missing staff members in the area. During the subsequent investigation, her German nationality was established, and the ministry stated that she and a companion had attempted to escape from custody.

The SDF had governed Raqqa and its surrounding province under the Kurdish-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria from 2017 until January 2026, when Syrian government forces took control. The handover of power occurred shortly before Michelmann's reported arrest.

The German embassy in Damascus provided consular assistance to Michelmann, and along with the embassy in Beirut, engaged with the Syrian government to secure her release. German media outlet Der Spiegel reported on the embassy's involvement.

Further details regarding the conditions of her detention and the specifics of her release negotiations remain unclear. The fate of her colleague, Ahmed Polad, also remains unknown.