Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- The number of Assyrians captured by ISIS in yesterday's attacks (AINA 2015-02-23) is now estimated to be at 150. ISIS attacked the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in Hasaka, Syria, killing at least 9 Assyrians who were defending their villages. There has been fierce fighting since yesterday between ISIS and Assyrian and Kurdish militia. Up to 130 ISIS members have been killed.

Negotiations to free some of the hostages are ongoing. Prominent Arab Sheiks in Hasaka are acting as intermediaries between ISIS and Assyrian leaders. The Sheiks are pushing ISIS to at least release the Assyrians who did not fight. According to sources in Hasaka, ISIS has agreed in principle to release those Assyrians who offered no resistance but flatly rejected releasing those who fought back.

The group of Assyrians that may be released is believed to be being held in Abdul Aziz Mountain, approximately 60 kilometers from the Assyrian villages where they were captured. This group of Assyrians is from the villages of Tel Goran, Abu Tina and Tel Jazira.

Nine Assyrians Killed

At least nine Assyrians have been killed fighting ISIS, they are:

• Milad Sammy Adam
• George Maholian
• Tamir Darwish
• Marius Hurmiz
• Simon Somo
• Abraham Qatina
• Joseph Afeh
• Julian Osi
• Haysam from Hasaka

ISIS has captured 12 Assyrian fighters from Tel Tamar, including two females.

Refugees Need Shelter

The Assyrians who managed to escape to Hasaka and Qamishli left only with the clothes on their backs. There is a critical need for shelter for the 3000 Assyrian refugees.

The Assyrian community in Sydney collected 60,000 Australian dollars yesterday in an emergency fundraiser. The money will be sent to Syria to aid the refugees.

Bishop Meelis Zaia, the Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand for the Assyrian Church of the East, is meeting with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and other branches of government to request aid for the Assyrians who have been displaced by the ISIS attacks.

The following is a partial list of the Assyrians captured by ISIS:

Village of Tel Hurmiz

1. Solomon Safar Gilyana
2. George Bolus Esho
3. Fuad Oshana Younan
4. Elias Darmo Warda
5. Youkhanna Bolbul Qatina
6. Zaya Benjamin Dinkha
7. Rihana Benjamin Dikha (F)
8. Wedad Eliya Younan (F)
9. Shamiran Esho Younan (F)
10. Naima (F)
11. Hermiz Gewargis Khano

Village of Qaber Shamiyeh

1. Enyir Warda Abdal
2. Fawwaz Joseph Tammo
3. Awiya Youkina Mallik Hermiz

Village of Tel Goran

1. Yikhannis Adam
2. Michael Mirza
3. Elias Mirza
4. Abdo Mirza
5. Mirza Mirza
6. Wegram Mirza
7. Fabronia Mirza (F)
8. Miryana Mirza (F, 6 Years old)
9. Wegram Mirza (unconfirmed)
10. George Ishmael
11. Ishmael Ishmael
12. Joseph Ishmael (unconfirmed)
13. George Esho
14. Salem Dashto
15. Aweya Zaya
16. Joseph Zaya
17. Joel Zaya (unconfirmed)
18. Tato Odisho
19. Jamil Odisho
20. George Odisho
21. Jamil Kolyat
22. Awiya Wegram
23. Joseph Esho
24. Najma Youkhanna
25. Mirza Khaya (unconfirmed)
26. 5 unnamed women

Village of Tel Fweidat

1. Sargon Ninos
2. Joseph Ninos
3. Wedad Rihana Benjamin (F)
4. Mayo Karko Hanna (F)

Village of Tel Jazira

1. Shwel Esha
2. Hanan Esha
3. Munira Esha
4. Amira Esha (F)
5. Ramziya Rihana
6. Raswina Esha (F)
7. Mariam Gawriyeh (F)
8. Abdul-Massih Noya
9. Iris Darmo (F)
10. Sheren Darmo (F)
11. Jamila Kako (F)
12. Mansour Darmo (Child)
13. Najiba Youkhanna
14. Joseph Youkhanna
15. Firyal Youkhanna
16. Hanna Youkhanna (F, Child)
17. Mary Youkhanna (F, Child)
18. Sorin Youkhanna (Child)
19. Edwisha Youkhanna
20. Elissa Ishmael
21. Hamson Youkhanna
22. Salwa Roel (F)
23. Bironia Samo (F)
24. Amana Kako (F)
25. Manal Kako
26. Adam Kako
27. Farida Kako (F)
28. Shamiran Kako (F)
29. Helana Kako (F)
30. Shwarekh Khoshaba
31. Elizabeth Khoshaba (F)
32. Malak
33. Khorshid Giwargis
34. Gabi Ishmael
35. Mouna Esha (F)
36. Jessica Ishmael (F, Child)
37. Sharbel Ishmael (Child)
38. Wanes Ishmael
39. Ishtar Ishmael (F)
40. Timatios Ishmael
41. Shamiran Mako (F)
42. Marleen Ishmael (F)
43. Miryana Ishmael (F)
44. Ashor Nidor
45. Roel Dinkha
46. Aweshalem Dinkha
47. Sadeq Ishmael
48. Loudia Hermiz (F)
49. Rami Ishmael
50. Michael Ishmael
51. Ninorta Ishmael (F)
52. Giwargis Ishmael

There are 35 contiguous Assyrian villages on both sides of the Khabur river, stretching 80 kilometers west from Hassaka to Ras al-Ain. The remaining inhabitants of these villages, some 3000, have now been evacuated, most to Hasaka and about 200 to Qamishli. Hundreds have taken refuge in St. Mary church in Hasaka and and St. Ephrem church in Qamishli.

Three weeks ago ISIS ordered Assyrians in the region of Hassaka to remove the crosses from their churches and to pay jizya (Christian poll tax), warning residents that if they failed to pay they would have to leave or else be killed (AINA 2015-02-03).