22 Assyrian Christians who were captured by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in February have been released, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has been told by what it claims is a 'reliable source'. The release was mediated by tribal leaders, they say. This group of Christians were taken captive in several villages on the banks of the Khabur river not far from Hassaka. The released Christians came from Tal Shamiram and Tal Jazirah. 14 of them are women, and all are elderly, reports claim. The BBC reported that 19 Christians from this group were released in February, all over the age of 50. However, Islamic State militants abducted dozens of Christians from the city of al-Qaryatain last week.