IS releases 270 of 400 civilians abducted in east Syria

January 20, 2016 18:26

The Islamic State group released 270 of more than 400 civilians it had abducted during its assault on the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said.

Those released included women, children under 14 years old, and the elderly, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

He said they had been freed after undergoing questioning by IS jihadists to determine whether they had ties to Syria's regime.

"They will not go back into Deir Ezzor city, but will be spread out among local tribes in the province," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

IS still holds 130 civilians, mostly teenage and adult men, whom Abdel Rahman said were being questioned.

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