DHAKA: The Islamic State (IS) militant group has freed around 350 members of the Yazidi religious community in northern Iraq.

The groups of mainly elderly Yazidis crossed out of IS-controlled territory and were received by Kurdish officials near the city of Kirkuk, reports BBC.

It is not yet clear why militants released them.

IS attacked the Yazidi minority community in Iraq last year, killing and abducting thousands of people.

Almost all of those released on Saturday were elderly or unwell, said Reuters.

The groups, including several sick infants, were taken directly by Kurdish Peshmerga forces to a health centre for treatment.

BDST: 0936 HRS, JAN 18, 2015