Over two-dozen Assyrian Christians held hostage by Islamic State have been released on Wednesday, according to an Assyrian advocacy group.
The released hostages were among a group of over 250 Assyrians that were kidnapped by IS during a raid in February along the Khabour River in northern Syria. The hostages were all male, including two boys who are the first children to be released by ISIS.
A Demand For Action (ADFA), an advocacy group for minorities in the Middle East, confirmed the release in an email to Newsweek.
The hostages were released with the help of the Assyrian Church of the East in Syria.
"This was made possible by the Assyrian Church of the East in Syria which has been tremendous in its efforts and they will continue to work day and night to make sure all are returned to their families safely," said the AFDA in a statement.
After being released, the hostages were taken to the Syrian village of Tel Tamer and have safely arrived, according to an update from the Assyrian International News Agency.
"All of the hostages are men, two of them boys aged 7 and 9. The hostages are in good health. They arrived in Tel Tamer in the morning."
