The Islamic State Group (EI) has abducted at least 230 civilians, more than 60 Christians in Al-Qaryataïn, in central Syria, said this Friday, August 7th the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH ). This strategic place has been taken by the jihadist group.
The IE “kidnapped Sunnis and 170 over 60 Christians accused of” collaboration with the regime ‘during searches conducted in the conquered city Wednesday, “said Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of that organization close to the opposition to Bashar Assad.
According to Rami Abdel Rahman, the IU had a list of people quit. But the jihadists have sometimes arrested entire families trying to flee.
Flight of Christians
Before the start of the revolt in 2011, there were 18,000 Sunnis and 2000 Catholic and Orthodox Syriacs Al-Qaryataïn. But as Christians settled in Damascus and originating in that locality, there were only 300 Christians before the onslaught of EI.
Al-Qaryataïn is an important junction that connects the territories controlled by the EI: the eastern outskirts of Homs and eastern Qalamoun, near the Lebanese border.
The conquest of the city now allows IE to transfer troops and supplies between the two areas, according to the OSDH, based in Britain but that relies on an important network of activists in Syria.
In May, a Syrian Catholic priest, Father Jacques Mourad the Mar Elian monastery al-Qaryatayn, was abducted by three masked men, following the decision by the EI of the ancient city of Palmyra, near the locality.
Stéphane © armenews.com