19 hostages of IS freed jointly by Syrian and Russian troops

Moscow: As many as 19 Islamic State hostages have been freed by Syrian troops supported by Russian military officers, a Russian Defense military statement said here on Friday. 

"On November 8, 2018, Syrian forces carried out a carefully planned special operation under the guidance of Russian military officers from the Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria, rescuing 19 civilian hostages seized by the ISIL [the former name of the Islamic State terror group outlawed in Russia - TASS] more than three months ago," Tass reported.

The troops had jointly freed 15 Druze children and four women, who had been seized by IS units in Syria’s Suwayda province in July 2018, the statement read.

According to Russian Center for Reconciliation, "The freed women and children are receiving the necessary assistance so that they can return to normal life as soon as possible," .

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported earlier that Syrian government forces had freed 19 hostages taken by terrorists in the Suwayda province.

On October 2, terrorists said they had killed one of the hostages - a 25-year-old girl - and were getting ready to do away with the others. On August 5, they had executed a 19-year-old student.

IS gangs are demanding that the Syrian army stop its military operation in the Tell es-Safi mountainous canyon, which is their last stronghold in southeastern Syria. The Syrian army and militia units have surrounded the area, cutting militant supply routes.(UNI)