Islamic State freed 16 Assyrian Christian hostages in Syria this week.

ISIS jihadists released the hostages in al-Hasakah, according to a report by Christian Today. The report cites information released by the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation (ACERO), a charity specializing in aiding persecuted Assyrian Christians.

The release of the 16 hostages follows the release of 25 captive Assyrian Christians who, according to ACERO, were given the "glorious Christmas gift" of freedom on Christmas Day.

ACERO first posted the news of the latest hostages' release in a statement on their Facebook page.

While ACERO reports that the 16 men, women, and children hostages were "met and embraced by His Grace Mar Afram Athneil, Bishop of Syria and Chairman of ACERO," the group fervently asks for more support.

The recently freed captives are a few among the over 200 people surrounding the Khabour River of northern Syria who were kidnapped last February, and negotiators are currently working towards the release of approximately 100 more.

ISIS terrorists released an execution video of three hostages in October, and demanded a ransom of $23 million for the other captives under threat of their murders.

When the Assyrian Church could not pay the fee, the ransom free was lowered to $12-$14 million.

A Demand for Action, a group that seeks the protection of Middle Eastern minorities, previously reported to Christian Today that the Assyrian Church is working "day and night to make sure all are returned to their families safely" and are praying for the release of their loved ones.