Four French journalists held hostage for almost a year in Syria have been freed.

In a statement announcing their liberation, France’s president Francois Hollande said the men were in good health.

They were reportedly found blindfolded and bound near the city of Akcakale, by Turkish troops patrolling near the Syrian border. The four were abducted in two separate incidents in June last year.

Speaking briefly, one of the freed reporters, Didier Francois, praised Turkey.

‘‘We are happy to be free and thank you very much. I mean, we thank the Turkish authorities because they really helped us. It is very nice to see the sky, to be able to walk, to speak freely and I am really happy,’‘ he said.

Two Jihadist groups operating in Syria, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), were accused of kidnapping the men.

Syria is one of most dangerous places in the world for journalists. More than 60 have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began three years ago.