IS must observe the rules of war and release Syrian civilians
Around 230 people are reported to have been abducted in central Syria by the armed group that calls itself Islamic State (IS) after heavy fighting in the town of Al-Qaryatain last night.
"The abhorrent abduction in Syria of more than 200 people by Islamic State highlights the dreadful plight of civilians caught up in the conflict in the country," said Neil Sammonds, Amnesty International's Syria researcher.
"Every effort must be made to identify the perpetrators of these crimes and bring them to justice. The group must respect the rules of war and immediately release these civilians unharmed."
A separate group of around 250 Syrian Christians were taken by IS in the Khabour river area in February. Nineteen have since been released whilst the fate of the rest remains unknown.