The Islamic State released 16 Assyrians on Friday, January 29, including four women and 10 children, who had been kidnapped during an attack on the city of Tel Tamer, a largely Assyrian Christian city in the Hassakeh countryside in February 2015.
Local human rights activist Saydar Her Emi said the group had released a number of prisoners in groups, including those who were released on Friday, adding there are still 43 people in captivity.
Speaking to Enab Baladi, Saydar said that mediation and communication channels with the group were continuing with the aim of releasing the remaining prisoners, claiming efforts of activists in the area had “succeeded in releasing the bulk of them.”
The Islamic State has carried out a number of attacks in villages and towns in the Hassakeh countryside, the fiercest of which was in the town of Tel Tamer last December, targeting the city with three car bombs, killing 50 civilians and wounded dozens.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
