By Brittani Howell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
DAMASCUS, Syria—The Islamic State abducted over 230 people from Qaryatain on Thursday. Dozens of Christians were among those abducted according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.
The Syrian Observatory speculated that the abductions occurred either from “checkpoints or raids or from churches.” Among those kidnapped were 45 women and 9 children. Of those taken hostage, the other 170 individuals are Sunni Muslims.
Amnesty International called for the release of the detained citizens. An Amnesty International reporter stated, “the abhorrent abduction in Syria of more than 200 people by the Islamic State highlights the dreadful plight of civilians caught up in conflict in the country.”
Qaryatain lies in between Damascus, Palmyra, and Homs. The route between Damascus and Homs is often used to move supplies and fighters throughout the rest of the region.
This past February, the Islamic State kidnapped 220 Assyrian Christians. Only a few of those kidnapped in February have been released.
The Islamic State may be preparing to attack the nearby town of Sadad. Over 4,000 Chrisitian families reside in Sadad. According to an Assyrian activist, many of those living in Sadad have already begun to flee.
The Islamic State militants execute captives whom they deem to be “infidels,” including Shi’ite Muslims, Christians, and religious minorities. Sunni Muslims who do not swear allegiance are also executed. The militant group allows Christians to live under its rule as long as Christians pay a special tax.
The Islamic State has made advances into areas east and south of Homs. The Syrian Army has led a counter-offensive in hopes of re-capturing the city of Palmyra after it was lost to the Islamic State last May.
The Islamic State has been pushed back in Northern Syria by a surge of Kurdish-led forces. The Islamic State militants were evicted from the town of Tal Abyad in northern Syria by the Kurdish forces in June.
For further information, please see:
CNN – ISIS Takes Strategically Important Town in Western Syria, Rights Group Says – 7 August 2015
Reuters – Islamic State Abducts Dozens of Christians From Syrian Town: Monitor – 7 August 2015
The Los Angeles Times – More Than 200 Feared Kidnapped by Islamic State in Syrian Town – 7 August 2015
The New York Times – After Capturing Syrian Town, IS Abducts Dozens of Christians – 7 August 2015
