BAGHDAD, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it would release five Iraqi women prisoners, a move that came after kidnappers of a U.S. female reporter demanded for the release of all Iraqi women prisoners.

   The U.S. military said that about 420 Iraqi detainees, including the five women prisoners, will be set free on Thursday and Friday since the military has finished reviewing their cases.

   Gunmen kidnapped U.S. female reporter Jill Carroll on Jan. 7 and threatened to kill her unless the U.S. military release all Iraqi women prisoners they hold within 72 hours, according to a video aired by the al-Jazeera satellite TV on Jan. 18.

   The ultimatum expired last Friday and the fate of Carroll who works for the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor newspaper remained unknown.

   The U.S. military said they currently held nine Iraqi female prisoners. Enditem