Syria: ISIL frees hundreds of hostages held in Deir-al-Zour
Euronews

SYRIA -- ISIL has released 270 civilians held hostage since the weekend assault on the Syrian government held city of Deir-al-Zour.

The conurbation in eastern Syria has been the backdrop to fierce fighting between militants and forces loyal to President Basher al-Assad.

Scores of people on both sides have been killed with the massacre of civilians reported.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights most of those released are women, children and the elderly.

The rights group says that another 50 men have been detained and are being interrogated.

The reason; a senior Muslim cleric had arrived and told them not to torture the prisoners.

As soon as he had gone the beatings began again.

He described ISIL as a “criminal gang.”

The battle for Deir-al-Zour is ongoing with ISIL repelling a government counter-offensive in the south of the city.

Reports claim ISIL controls the town’s university and a military base in the nearby town of Ayash.

Source: http://www.euronews.com/2016/01/20/syriaisil-frees-hundreds-of-hostages-held-in-deir-al-zour/

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-20

He described ISIL as a “criminal gang.”

He's not a million miles out!! Animals and butchers to a man.

Freeing hostages is better PR than 270 decapitations