21 UN peacekeepers seized by rebels on the Syrian Golan are on their way to the border with Jordan and freedom.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog has confirmed that the group has been transferred from the Golan village of Jamla, where they were held, towards the the frontier with Jordan ahead of their release.

The Filipino peacekeepers were taken on Wednesday by a rebel group, that initially said they would only release the hostages if Syrian forces withdraw from the area.