ISIS Releases 25 Assyrian Christian Hostages in Syria But Dozens Remain

ICC Note: More than two dozen Assyrian Christians in Syria have been released by the ISIS militant group after having been captured in February. They are the latest of the hostages released, but more than 100 remain captive by the militant group.

12/09/2015 Syria (Newsweek) – The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) released 25 male Assyrian Christian hostages, including two children, in Syria on Wednesday after they were held in captivity for nine months, according to an Assyrian advocacy group. Dozens of Assyrian Christian men, women and children remain in the hands of the radical Islamist group.

A Demand For Action (ADFA), an advocacy group for Middle Eastern minorities, confirmed in an email to Newsweek that the hostages were released with the help of the Assyrian Church of the East in Syria. The two children were aged between nine and 12 years old and ADFA said they were the first children to be released by ISIS.

The militant group has targeted Christians across the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Syria, displacing thousands and forcing many to pay jizya (tax) or sign a dhimma (Sharia social contract) to avoid death.

The released hostages were taken to the Syrian village of Tel Tamer and were greeted by Mar Afram Athneil, the chairman of the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization (ACERO).

“This was made possible by the Assyrian Church of the East in Syria which has been tremendous in its efforts and they will continue to work day and night to make sure all are returned to their families safely,” ADFA said in a statement.

ISIS kidnapped approximately 250 Assyrian Christian hostages from a number of villages—Tal Shamiran, Tal Jazirah and Qabar Shamia—in Syria’s northeast Khabour region in February before releasing at least 20 hostages in March, according to ADFA.

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