The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) yesterday (2 September) reported that militants had withdrawn the Christians’ identity documents while they make up their minds. Many have decided to leave and are waiting to receive their documents in order to travel, said SOHR.

An estimated 260 Christians were kidnapped on Thursday 6 August by Islamic State (IS) militants just hours after the jihadists seized the Syrian town of Qaryatain, a local Christian leader told Barnabas. Up to 110 of the Christians have since been taken to Raqqa, the so-called capital of IS territory.

Jihadists later posted photographs on social media showing militants bulldozing the Mar Elian monastery, which dates back to the fifth century, outside Qaryatain on 21 August.