DHAKA: Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria militants have abducted at least 220 people from Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria during a three day offensive.

A monitor that tracks violence in Syria said on Thursday, reports The Straits Times.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the abductions took place when Islamic State took 10 villages inhabited by the ancient Christian minority near the city of Hasaka, a city mainly held by the Kurds.

BDST: 1605 HRS, FEB 26, 2015