Number of Christians abducted by IS rises to 220, say activists

Beirut: Syrian activists say the number of Christians abducted by Islamic State militants in northeastern Syria has risen to 220. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday that the militants have picked up dozens more Christian Assyrians from 11 communities near the town of Tal Tamr in Hassakeh province in the past three days. [caption id=“attachment_2068705” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] IS began abducting the Assyrians on Monday, when militants attacked a cluster of villages along the Khabur River, sending thousands of people fleeing to safer areas. Younan Talia, a senior official with the Assyrian Democratic Organization, said IS had raided 33 Assyrian villages, picking up as many as 300 people along the way. Associated Press