Assyrians Captured By ISIS Now At 150, Negotiations for Their Release in Progress

Assyrians killed by ISIS, from left: Milad Sammy Adam, Julian Osi, Tamir Darwish, Marius Hurmiz (AINA photo). Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- The number of Assyrians captured by ISIS in yesterday's attacks (AINA 2015-02-23) is now estimated to be at 150. ISIS attacked the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in Hasaka, Syria, killing at least 9 Assyrians who were defending their villages. There has been fierce fighting since yesterday between ISIS and Assyrian and Kurdish militia. Up to 130 ISIS members have been killed.

Negotiations to free some of the hostages are ongoing. Prominent Arab Sheiks in Hasaka are acting as intermediaries between ISIS and Assyrian leaders. The Sheiks are pushing ISIS to at least release the Assyrians who did not fight. According to sources in Hasaka, ISIS has agreed in principle to release those Assyrians who offered no resistance but flatly rejected releasing those who fought back.

The group of Assyrians that may be released is believed to be being held in Abdul Aziz Mountain, approximately 60 kilometers from the Assyrian villages where they were captured. This group of Assyrians is from the villages of Tel Goran, Abu Tina and Tel Jazira.

Nine Assyrians Killed

Simon Somo, killed fighting ISIS. At least nine Assyrians have been killed fighting ISIS, they are:

Milad Sammy Adam

George Maholian

Tamir Darwish

Marius Hurmiz

Simon Somo

Abraham Qatina

Joseph Afeh

Julian Osi

Haysam from Hasaka

ISIS has captured 12 Assyrian fighters from Tel Tamar, including two females.

Killed fighting ISIS, from left: Julian Osi, Marius Hurmiz, Joseph Afeh, Haysam. Refugees Need Shelter

The Assyrians who managed to escape to Hasaka and Qamishli left only with the clothes on their backs. There is a critical need for shelter for the 3000 Assyrian refugees.

The Assyrian community in Sydney collected 60,000 Australian dollars yesterday in an emergency fundraiser. The money will be sent to Syria to aid the refugees.

Bishop Meelis Zaia, the Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand for the Assyrian Church of the East, is meeting with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and other branches of government to request aid for the Assyrians who have been displaced by the ISIS attacks.

The following is a partial list of the Assyrians captured by ISIS:

Village of Tel Hurmiz

Solomon Safar Gilyana George Bolus Esho Fuad Oshana Younan Elias Darmo Warda Youkhanna Bolbul Qatina Zaya Benjamin Dinkha Rihana Benjamin Dikha (F) Wedad Eliya Younan (F) Shamiran Esho Younan (F) Naima (F) Hermiz Gewargis Khano

Village of Qaber Shamiyeh

Enyir Warda Abdal Fawwaz Joseph Tammo Awiya Youkina Mallik Hermiz

Village of Tel Goran

Yikhannis Adam Michael Mirza Elias Mirza Abdo Mirza Mirza Mirza Wegram Mirza Fabronia Mirza (F) Miryana Mirza (F, 6 Years old) Wegram Mirza (unconfirmed) George Ishmael Ishmael Ishmael Joseph Ishmael (unconfirmed) George Esho Salem Dashto Aweya Zaya Joseph Zaya Joel Zaya (unconfirmed) Tato Odisho Jamil Odisho George Odisho Jamil Kolyat Awiya Wegram Joseph Esho Najma Youkhanna Mirza Khaya (unconfirmed) 5 unnamed women

Village of Tel Fweidat

Sargon Ninos Joseph Ninos Wedad Rihana Benjamin (F) Mayo Karko Hanna (F)

Village of Tel Jazira

Shwel Esha Hanan Esha Munira Esha Amira Esha (F) Ramziya Rihana Raswina Esha (F) Mariam Gawriyeh (F) Abdul-Massih Noya Iris Darmo (F) Sheren Darmo (F) Jamila Kako (F) Mansour Darmo (Child) Najiba Youkhanna Joseph Youkhanna Firyal Youkhanna Hanna Youkhanna (F, Child) Mary Youkhanna (F, Child) Sorin Youkhanna (Child) Edwisha Youkhanna Elissa Ishmael Hamson Youkhanna Salwa Roel (F) Bironia Samo (F) Amana Kako (F) Manal Kako Adam Kako Farida Kako (F) Shamiran Kako (F) Helana Kako (F) Shwarekh Khoshaba Elizabeth Khoshaba (F) Malak Khorshid Giwargis Gabi Ishmael Mouna Esha (F) Jessica Ishmael (F, Child) Sharbel Ishmael (Child) Wanes Ishmael Ishtar Ishmael (F) Timatios Ishmael Shamiran Mako (F) Marleen Ishmael (F) Miryana Ishmael (F) Ashor Nidor Roel Dinkha Aweshalem Dinkha Sadeq Ishmael Loudia Hermiz (F) Rami Ishmael Michael Ishmael Ninorta Ishmael (F) Giwargis Ishmael

There are 35 contiguous Assyrian villages on both sides of the Khabur river, stretching 80 kilometers west from Hassaka to Ras al-Ain. The remaining inhabitants of these villages, some 3000, have now been evacuated, most to Hasaka and about 200 to Qamishli. Hundreds have taken refuge in St. Mary church in Hasaka and and St. Ephrem church in Qamishli.

Three weeks ago ISIS ordered Assyrians in the region of Hassaka to remove the crosses from their churches and to pay jizya (Christian poll tax), warning residents that if they failed to pay they would have to leave or else be killed (AINA 2015-02-03).