37
Assyrian Christians from the towns of Tal Shiram and Tal Jazira has been
released by The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, according to
a monitoring group.
The
Assyrian Human Rights Network, which has been monitoring the talks since the
215 civilians were kidnapped by ISIL in February, said on Saturday that 37
Assyrians have been released and are in good health and shape.
The
abductions were reported after ISIL fighters seized two Assyrian villages from
Kurdish forces along the Khabur River in the province of Hasakah in February
2015.
"Most
of the Assyrians released are of old age. They have arrived to Tal Tamer on a
bus and were received by the priest of the Saints Church in Tal Tamer in
Hasakah province," the Assyrian Human Rights Network said in its report.
"On
February 23, 2015 at least 215 civilians were abducted by ISIL. So far 88 have
been released and negotiations are ongoing to release the rest."
During
ISIL's offensive to seize territory in Syria, hundreds of people from different
religious sects have been abducted or killed.
Last September, Rami
Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
reported that the group were released after a payment was made.
Abdel Rahman also
said that an agreement was reached which allows Christians to stay in their own
areas but under strict Islamic laws.
The deal states the
Christians cannot wear symbols of their religion, such as crosses, and must pay
a tax.
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