DAMASCUS, Syria: Greek Orthodox nuns freed after being held hostage by Al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels arrived in Damascus Monday morning, ending their four-month ordeal in a rare prisoner exchange with the government.

The 13 women said they were treated well by rebels and appeared so in a video of their release issued by the Al-Qaeda group.

It showed a masked gunman carrying one elderly nun who was too weak to walk to a waiting vehicle. Activists said the release came in exchange for 150 female prisoners held by the government.

Residents gave the nuns a warm welcome at the Church of the Cross in the predominantly Christian neighborhood of Qassaa, state news agency SANA reported.

They were released early Monday in a rare deal between the Syrian government and rebels of the so-called Nusra Front that was mediated by the Gulf country of Qatar, traditionally a rebel supporter.

The video appeared genuine and consistent with The Associated Press’ reporting. The dialogue it showed between the nuns and the armed, masked militants was surprising for the familiarity with which they addressed each other.

“What we did was less than what we should have done,” an off camera rebel voice said to a nun, likely referring to the length of their captivity. He said that God will reward the nuns for their suffering.

“May God reward every person who sought to resolve this problem,” said the nun, who later exclaims: “Four months, man!”

As the women reach the car, the unseen rebel says, “I was so happy to be in communication with you and I hope that we can stay in communication, if God decides that. Please say hello to your families for me, and I hope you arrive safely.”

Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Observatory for the Human Rights said the government freed 150 women prisoners and three children of a prisoner in exchange for the nuns.

In Damascus, the nuns prayed before heading to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Old Damascus, where they will now stay, SANA said.