Over 150 Syrian Christians, including women and elderly, were kidnapped by Daesh militants, (IS’s Arabic name is translated as ad-Dawlah leading to the acronym Daesh). The abductions began at 4.00am on 23 February on a 40km front along the River Khabour. There are 35 Christian villages along the river in that area. The Daesh offensive follows clashes in which Kurdish and Syrian militias claim to have 'liberated' villages from Daesh control in neighbouring Raqqa Governorate. Over 600 families managed to flee from these villages, however many Christians were abducted. There are reports that churches in two villages were set on fire and a 17-year-old Christian was murdered. Examples of Muslim neighbours showing solidarity and assisting Christians have also emerged. The Gulf Today reported on Wednesday that the total of abducted Christians is now more than 150. See