Reports say that 22 Syrian Christian families (over 60 people) are being held captive by Islamic State (IS) in Raqqa, the capital city of their territory.
These families tried to escape in mid November, but were detained and returned to the city, where they are now trapped. Sources informed Barnabas Fund that they were apparently being used by IS as a human shield.
At the time of writing, at least 387 other Syrian Christians are known to be held as formal hostages by IS. On 2 December, Prime Minister David Cameron described Raqqa as the HQ of IS, which had to be destroyed.
Deliberate exposure?
Currently the Russians, Americans, French and other nations are involved in an intensive bombing campaign against IS targets in Syria and Iraq. One of the reasons for involving the RAF is its Brimstone missile system, said to be the most accurate precision strike product on the market. While it is believed that civilians will in no way be targeted, there is a danger that IS will seek to exploit these attacks by deliberately exposing Christians, whom they regard as infidels, to such bombing and then blame those nations involved in the bombing for these civilian casualties.
The situation facing the small Christian groups left in Raqqa, in terms of food and medicine, is desperate.
In Aleppo, while conditions have eased somewhat recently, with improved communications and supplies, the situation remains desperate in other parts of Syria.
