Damascus, Aug 7 (IANS): The Islamic State (IS) militants abducted dozens of Syrian Christians, including women and children, in central Syria, a monitor group reported on Friday.
Dozens of Christians were among 230 civilians the IS captured in Qaryateyn town of Homs province, Xinhua quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) as saying.
The number includes 19 children, according to the UK-based monitoring group.
The IS militants stormed the town last Wednesday after carrying out several suicide car bombings on the outskirts of the town.
After storming the town, intense battles raged between the IS and the Syrian army, which was backed by the air force.
Reports said the army withdrew and repositioned to avoid losses while the air force and artillery were still shelling the town.