ISIS Release 37 Assyrian Hostages in Syria

Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS arrive in Tel Tamar, Syria. (AINA) -- ISIS today released 37 Assyrians that it captured on February 23 when it attacked the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in the Hasaka province. ISIS captured 253 in the initial attack and drove 3,000 Assyrians from their villages. Most have not returned.

The 37 Assyrians who were released, 27 women, are all elderly; most were from the villages of Tel Shamiran and Tel Jazira. They arrived safely in the town of Tel Tamar.

ISIS executed three of the hostages on September 23 (AINA 2015-10-08). The number of Assyrians from Khabur still being held is now 165. ISIS is also holding 185 Assyrians it captured in Qaryatain.

ISIS has released Assyrians from Khabur on the following dates:

November 7: 37 released

August 11: 22 released

June 16: Francois Sawa released

May 26: two elderly women released, Ramziyya Rehana (80) from Tel Jazira and Yoniyya Kanoon (70) from Tel Shamiran

March 3: Two Assyrians from Tel Shamiram were released, Yatroun Marko and his wife Wardiyya Yonan. Two Assyrians from Tel Goran were released, 6 year-old Mariana Mirza and her father's aunt, Bobo Mirza.

March 1: 19 Assyrians Released, all from the village of Tel Goran

Here are the names of the 37 hostages who were released:

Name Village Birth Year Anyar Shmoel Abdal Qaber Shamiya 1942 Maryam Jerjees Joseph Tel Faytha 1940 Abres Abdelahad Darmo Tel Jazira 1948 Sadeq Aweqam Ishmael Tel Jazira 1941 Royel Dinkha Mirza Tel Jazira 1937 Malek Sadeq Ishmael Tel Jazira 1948 Shidrakh David Khoshaba Tel Jazira 1942 Nineveh William Royel Tel Jazira 1959 Rosweena Elisha Elisha Tel Jazira 1961 Khanem Elisha Elisha Tel Jazira 1958 Khosheebo Sarhad Gewargis Tel Jazira 1950 Ludiya Hormiz Eshaq Tel Jazira 1955 Samera Yaow Mako Tel Jazira 1960 Amal Kako David Tel Jazira 1965 Zabet Solaqa Khiyou Tel Jazira 1960 Salwa Wilson Royel Tel Jazira 1966 Fareeda Esho Kako Tel Jazira 1960 Enwiya Badal Joseph Tel Shamiran 1941 David Jacob Koriya Tel Shamiran 1939 Nimrud Jacob Koriya Tel Shamiran 1935 Korish Elija Talya Tel Shamiran 1938 Esho Enwiya Eshaq Tel Shamiran 1950 Georget Jacob Malkey Tel Shamiran 1952 Surma Enwiya Eshaq Tel Shamiran 1945 Samera Hormiz Eshaq Tel Shamiran 1957 Febronya Lazar Samou Tel Shamiran 1945 Maqdonya Antraneek Tel Shamiran 1952 Zomo Sulaiman Sawa Tel Shamiran 1952 Wardiya Joseph Zomaya Tel Shamiran 1950 Pana Yoshiya Lazar Tel Shamiran 1961 Alice Awetar Ishmael Tel Shamiran 1954 Teresa Odisho Odisho Tel Shamiran 1962 Alice Adam Adam Tel Shamiran 1953 Samera Nikola Shmony Tel Shamiran 1952 Maryam Manasha Esho Tel Shamiran 1962 Youniya Talya Talya Tel Shamiran 1960 Lulu Zaya Odisho Tel Shamiran 1965

Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS on November 7.

Negotiations to release the captives have been ongoing between the Assyrian Church of the East and ISIS, who have demanded $100,000 for each hostage. According to observers, negotiations are ongoing for the release of the remaining hostages.

Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS on the bus to Tel Tamar, Syria.

Some information for this report was obtained from AssyriaTV.