(AINA) -- Prominent Arab sheiks met with Assyrian leaders and clergy in Hasaka today to discuss the plight of the Assyrians captured by ISIS, whose number is between 262 and 373. The sheiks are mediating negotiations between ISIS and Assyrian leaders for the release of the captives. According to Assyrian leaders, no Assyrians have been killed, but there are reports that ISIS has executed at least 12 Assyrian fighters who were captured, two of them women.

Nine Assyrian fighters died defending their villages in the initial attacks.

On Monday ISIS attacked the Assyrian villages of Tel Goran, Tel Hurmiz, Tel Tamar, Tel Baloaa Tel Shamiran, Tel Riman, Tel Nasra, Tel Khareta, Tel Jazira, Tel Fweidat, Qaber Shamiyeh and Abu Tena.

The majority of the Assyrians were captured from Tel Shamiran, Tel Hurmiz, Tel Goran and Tel Jazira (AINA 2015-02-26).

Nearly 3000 Assyrians have fled from the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river to Hasaka and Qamishli. There is a critical need for shelter for the refugees.

An Assyrian women interviewed by ARA News said ISIS has burned the village of Tel Jazira.

See attacks on Assyrians in Syria for more information.