Islamic State fighters have reportedly captured at least 230 people including 60 Syrian Christians after taking a town in the province of Homs.

Unknown destiny pursues hundreds of missing and 230 citizens kidnapped by “Islamic State”,... http://t.co/mFZaxFwn5G — المرصد السوري (@syriahr) August 7, 2015

The hostages were taken in the town of Al Quaryatayn, which is the biggest capture by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria since the taking of Palmyra in May.

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It has a mixed population of 40,000 and shelters thousands of refugees, who have fled from fighting elsewhere in Syria.

There are many children and women among the abducted Christians, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

#ISIS releases pictures of fighting in #Syrian town of al-Qaryateyn, show teenage soldiers & a #Canadian $5 bill pic.twitter.com/IpzKaeORWR — Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) August 6, 2015

Al Quaryatayn was taken overnight after heavy fighting between IS and Syrian army fighters, which involved several suicide bombing attacks on military checkpoints. The town occupies a strategic position near a road connecting Palmyra to the Qalamoun Mountains, along the border with Lebanon.

The terrorist group is known to demand people convert to Islam or face execution or expulsion.

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