ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — After an influx of ISIS fighters into the Druze homelands of as-Suwayda Governorate, at least three dozen women and men have been abducted, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Astana talks also began on Monday in Sochi, Russia.
ISIS entered the province on Wednesday, the UK-based monitor reported on Monday, and at least 36 Druze women and children have been abducted following attacks.
The monitor reported that pro-regime and Russian forces conducted air strikes against fortified ISIS positions in the as-Suwayda countryside on Sunday, resulting in hours of calm; however, the regime has not pursued the alleged kidnappers.
The Observatory claims to have documented the deaths of 255 people in the province at the hands of ISIS — including seven suicide bombers. It blames the brigade of Khalid Ibn al-Walid, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS.
Syrian state news reported that a group of Syrian-Spanish businessmen "strongly condemned" the attack that led to "the escalation."
ISIS did not immediately claim the attacks or kidnappings. ISIS has routinely targeted minority groups in Iraq and Syria like the Yezidis, Kakai Kurds, and Christians.
The 10th round of the Astana talks began in Sochi, Russia, on Monday. It is attended by Russian Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, Syrian Representative to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari, and officials from Turkey and Iran.
The Druze, a small religious minority, has been largely spared from the violence of the Syrian conflict which began in 2011.
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