The Islamic State terrorist group has released 22 Assyrian Christians.
According to The Christian Post, the 22 Christians were part of the 200 Christians abducted in February in Khabur.
The Assyrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Christians were released due to "the tireless efforts and negotiations by the Assyrian Church of the East in the city of Hasakeh.”
The 22 Christians are from the villages of Tal Shamiram and Tal Jazira, according to the Assyrian Network for Human Rights.
Negotiations are continuing to free the remaining Assyrians.
"There is a positive atmosphere around the negotiation," said ANHR Director Osama Edward.
Militants are reportedly demanding $100,000 each for every person released. It’s unclear whether a ransom was paid to free the 22 captives.
Last week, the Islamic State abducted 100 Assyrian families from al-Qaryatain in Syria.
"My personal sources say there are about 15,000 families left in Syria. Of course, they do not live in the villages captured by militants, but were able to temporarily relocate to nearby towns," said Bishop Yatron Kolina of the Assyrian Church of the East in Lebanon.
"We very much hope that countries such as Russia and the United States will hear our call for help from their Christian brothers in the Middle East," Yolina said.
Publication date: August 13, 2015
