U.S.-led strikes on IS after group seizes 220 Assyrian Christians

The U.S.-led coalition carried out air strikes Thursday against the Islamic State group in northeastern Syria, where the jihadists have launched a new offensive and kidnapped 220 Assyrian Christians. The raids struck areas around the town of Tal Tamr in Hasakeh province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, without giving information on possible casualties. They followed the launch Monday of a new offensive by IS, which kidnapped the Assyrians as it seized territory around Tal Tamr. The town remains under the control of Kurdish forces, but at least 10 surrounding villages have been seized by IS, along with the captives. Many of those abducted are said to be women, children or elderly.

We’ve received around 200 families who are being hosted in local homes. The people arriving are desperate. They are coming with nothing, they left everything behind.

Jean Tolo, of Qamishli’s Assyrian Organisation for Relief and Development

The United States and United Nations denounced the mass abduction of Christians - the first of its kind in the country - and demanded their release. The UN refugee chief meanwhile warned that Syria’s refugee crisis was approaching a “dangerous turning point” with nearly four million people facing worsening living conditions in exile. Close to 12 million people have been displaced by the nearly four-year war in Syria including 3.8 million who have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, now the biggest refugee-hosting country in the world.

ISIL’s latest targeting of a religious minority is only further testament to its brutal and inhumane treatment of all those who disagree with its divisive goals and toxic beliefs.

Jen Psaki, U.S. State Department spokeswoman

Middle East Assyrian Christians