IS releases last group of captured Syrian Christians

BEIRUT — A Christian official in northeastern Syria says the Islamic State group has released the last group of Assyrian Christians taken hostage last year.

Younan Talia of the Assyrian Democratic Organization tells The Associated Press that about 40 remaining Christian captives were released and are on their way to the northeastern town of Tal Tamr.

The freed Christians were part of about 230 Assyrian Christians captured last February by the extremists after they overran Assyrian communities on the southern bank of the Khabur River in northeastern Hassakeh province.

Younan says the release came after mediation led by a top Assyrian priest in northern Syria.

The Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization says that 43 Assyrians, who make the “final number of hostages in Khabur,” were released on Monday.

— AP