ISIS extremists have kidnapped about 400 civilians during a massacre in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday (January 16).
ISIS extremists have kidnapped about 400 civilians during a massacre in the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday (January 16).
Reuters informs that families of pro-government fighters were among those abducted. «There is genuine fear for their lives, there is a fear that the group might execute them as it has done before in other areas,» said the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdulrahamn.
«Car bombs, suicide bombers and executions were carried out as jihadists stormed the Al-Bghiliyyeh and al-Jura areas of the town» - says The Independent.
The Syrian news agency «SANA» reported - the death toll was far higher at 300, and included women, children, and elderly people, whereas other monitoring groups, which have not been verified, put the death toll at between 250 and 280.
Daily Mail posted harrowing pictures of the 20 knelt soldiers in military clothing captured during the fierce fighting as the city fell. Officials confirm that the Syrian army is deploying troops in areas near to the ancient town in apparent preparation for a counter-attack to retake the city from the Islamic State group.
Deir al-Zor province is situated in a turbulent region, de facto linking Raqqa, with territory controlled by the group in Iraq. The area has seen heavy fighting recently between government forces and rebel factions in recent weeks.
