IS abducts several Assyrian Christians in north-eastern Syria

Islamic State (IS) militants have reportedly kidnapped several Assyrian Christians from villages in north-eastern Syria, activists said.

London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 90 men, women and children were abducted by the IS in a series of dawn raids near the town of Tal Tamr, reported the BBC.

However, some Assyrians managed to escape and sought refuge in the largely Kurdish-controlled city of Hassakeh in the east.

The news comes as Syrian Kurdish fighters, backed by US-led coalition air strikes, continue to advance into territories held by the IS.

Hassakeh province is strategically important as it borders both Turkey and areas held by the group in Iraq.