43 Assyrian Christian hostages released by ISIS in Syria

ISIS has released 43 Assyrian Christians, the last of a large group abducted in northern Syria by the terrorists almost one year ago.

The Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation (ACERO) said that the Assyrians, who make the “final number of hostages in Khabur”, were released on Monday.

The freed hostage were part of a group of about 230 Assyrian Christians captured last February by ISIS after the Islamists attacked Assyrian communities living by the Khabur River in Hassakeh province.

“ACERO wishes to extend its unreserved thanks to all those supporters, both institutional and individual, who have stood with the Assyrians of Syria in this arduous 12-month period,” a statement, released by the organisation on its Facebook page, said.

“While this news thankfully marks the end of the most recent tribulation, we mourn the tremendous losses, both human and material, suffered by the indigenous Assyrians of Syria. The destruction of their livelihoods in the historic Khabur villages is a loss for the Assyrian nation and for Syria as a whole.”

Younan Talia of the Assyrian Democratic Organisation told the Associated Press that the release came after mediation led by a prominent Assyrian priest in northern Syria.

ISIS had previously demanded a ransom of $100,000 per hostage, however this amount was later lowered. It is not known whether money was paid to secure the release of the prisoners.