ISIS Release 37 Assyrian Hostages in Syria
Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS on the bus to Tel Tamar, Syria.
Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS arrive in Tel Tamar, Syria.
7/11/15
(AINA) — ISIS today released 37 Assyrians that it captured on February 23 when it attacked the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in the Hasaka province. ISIS captured 253 in the initial attack and drove 3,000 Assyrians from their villages. Most have not returned.
The 37 Assyrians who were released, 27 women, are all adults; most were from the villages of Tal Shamiram and Tal Jazira. They arrived safely in the town of Tel Tamar.
The number of Assyrians from Khabur still being held is now 168. ISIS is also holding 185 Assyrians it captured in Qaryatain.
Related: Attacks on Assyrians in Syria By ISIS and Other Muslim Groups
ISIS has released Assyrians from Khabur on the following dates:
- November 7: 37 released
- August 11: 22 released
- June 16: Francois Sawa released
- May 26: two elderly women released, Ramziyya Rehana (80) from Tel Jazira and Yoniyya Kanoon (70) from Tel Shamiran
- March 3: Two Assyrians from Tel Shamiram were released, Yatroun Marko and his wife Wardiyya Yonan. Two Assyrians from Tel Goran were released, 6 year-old Mariana Mirza and her father’s aunt, Bobo Mirza.
- March 1: 19 Assyrians Released, all from the village of Tel Goran
Negotiations to release the captives have been ongoing between the Assyrian Church of the East and ISIS, who have demanded $100,000 for each hostage. According to observers, negotiations are ongoing for the release of the remaining hostages.
Some information for this report was obtained from AssyriaTV.
© Assyrian International News Agency.
