According to WorldWatchMonitor, it is still unclear what the Islamic State intends to do with the more than 200 Christian hostages they still hold captive in northeastern Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 29 Christian hostages in northeastern Syria were released on March 1 after they had been captured by the Islamic State during the previous week while advancing along the Khabur River. However, only 19 of the group released reached safety in the city of Al-Hasakeh on March 2. They were all men over the age of 50, except for two women. One of those released told the Assyrian International News Agency: "We didn't think we would get out alive. We lived in constant fear".
The captives were pressured to convert to Islam, but they were not mistreated. When they refused, they were told that they would have to pay jizyah, a personal tax that Islamic authorities collect from Christians and Jews under Sharia law in exchange for allowing them to keep their faith.
On March 3, four more released prisoners arrived, including a 6-year-old girl and her great-aunt. According to accounts from the released prisoners, they had offered to pay the jizyah, but they would not convert. In the end, they did not have to pay the jizyah, but they were not allowed to return to their village. If they tried to return and were caught again, the men would be beheaded and the women sold into slavery, they were told.
There is speculation that the remaining hostages will be used as "human shields" to fend off coalition airstrikes against ISIS.
The situation is an opportunity to call for continued prayer for the captives and for the relief work among the displaced. Where possible, we will encourage churches to take this up as a prayer topic in connection with the Sunday service.
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The Danish European Mission ensures that Christians and other minority refugees in Syria receive emergency aid. This winter, in addition to food, water and medicine, they are receiving warm clothes, shoes, blankets and fuel. You can
- It costs approximately $1,130 to ensure a refugee family has warm clothes, shoes, mattresses, blankets and fuel this winter.
- It costs around DKK 680 to ensure a refugee family has food and medicine for a month
