DHAKA: Reports are emerging of the killing of Syrian Christians by Islamic State (IS) militants in the town of al-Qaryatain.

The town was retaken by Russian-backed Syrian forces and their allies earlier in the week.

Some 21 Christians were murdered when almost 300 Christians remained in the city after IS captured it last August, said the head of the Syrian Orthodox Church, the BBC reports on Monday.

They included three women, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II told the BBC.

He said some died whilst trying to escape while the others were killed for breaking the terms of their ‘dhimmi contracts’, which require them to submit to the rule of Islam.

Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, the head of the Syrian Orthodox Church, (holding crucifix) visits al-Qaryatain on 8 April 2015.

Five more Christians are still missing, believed dead.

Negotiations and the payment of ransoms have seen the remainder of the group re-join their families.

The patriarch said warnings had come that IS planned to sell Christian girls into slavery.

BDST: 1215 HRS. APR 11, 2016
SAS/RR