|
answer text |
<p>We understand that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are still holding
more than 200 Assyrian Christians who were abducted in February from villages along
the Khabour river in Hassakeh Province of North-East Syria. We believe that, in another
act of appalling barbarity, ISIL executed at least 15 of the hostages, and that 23
Assyrian Christians have since been released following the payment of ransom money
by the families, and another two freed when the area was liberated at the end of May.
We remain concerned for the remaining hostages, most of whom are women, children and
elderly people. We support the UN Security Council Statement condemning the abductions
and demanding the Christians immediate release.</p><p>The UK is committed to defeating
ISIL, an organisation that has no place in today’s world. We will continue to work
with the Global Coalition of more than sixty countries to ensure that ISIL no longer
poses a threat to the people of the region, to international stability or to our own
national security.</p>
|
|