According to the Assyrian Federation of Sweden, 40 Assyrians who had been held captive by ISIS are released.
London-based Syrian Human Rights Committee also confirmed this information. According to AINA (Assyrian International News Agency), 43 Assyrians are released.
On February 23, 2015, ISIS abducted 300 Assyrians from 35 villages in northeastern Syria and around Khabur river. 3 of them were killed and the rest was released in groups.
Chair of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden Afran Yakoub stated that Assyrian Church of the East made the statement about the release. “Since the day these people were abducted, the Church has been negotiating with ISIS about the release. ISIS sometimes releases 10 or 20 people.”
179 Assyrians are still held captive
According to Assyrian Church of the East, Assyrians abducted from Khabur region are released. On the other hand, according to AINA's report, ISIS still holds 179 Assyrians captive who were abducted from Qaryatain town on August 6, 2015.
